Pilgrimage as a New Way to Define and Characterize the Sainthood (original) (raw)

Identification to Gus Dur: Study of Pilgrimage of Indonesian Foremost Ulama’s Tomb in Jombang Regency, Indonesia

Russian Journal of Agricultural and Socio-Economic Sciences, 2017

The study applies self-expansion theory to understand the phenomenon of pilgrimage surge to the tomb of one of Indonesian foremost Ulama (Moslem preacher), Gus Dur. The attraction factor of Gus Dur is represented by "perceived identity synergy" that provides cognitive ground for identification. The study puts forward perceived values and support as antecedents of "perceived identity synergy". By this way, this study allows two kinds of comparison. The first is comparison between relationship of perceived value and revisit intention with perceived identity synergy and identification as mediators and that without those mediators. The second is comparison between relationship of perceived value and revisit intention and that of perceived support and revisit intention both with perceived identity synergy and identification as mediators. The first result reveals that the relation is only possible through mediators. The second result reveals that perceived identity synergyand identification as mediators work much less to relationship between perceived support and revisit intention than to that between perceived value and revisit intention. KEY WORDS Perceived value, perceived support, perceived identity synergy, revisit intention. While there is surely no intention to make Gus Dur's family tombs as a destination site at the first place, it now becomes one of most potential religious destination in East Java. According to chief of East Java Culture and Tourism Office's Tourism Product Development Division, Sunarmadji, of five Walis' tombs and other religious tourism sites existing in East Java, Gus Dur's tomb hits the record as attracting the largest visitors (TribunNews.com Network, 2012). It has around 2000-5000 visitors daily (Satuharapan.com, 2015), surges to 20.000 on weekends or weeks before Ramadhan month, and reaches to 300 thousand at Gus Dur's haul (praying at the date of Gus Dur's passing). The trend reveals that the number increases in time (TribunNews.com Network, 2012). Another uniqueness is the fact that while Gus Dur is clearly affiliated to the largest religion-based mass organization so called Nahdlatul Ulama or NU for short (once the chief of this organization for three period 1989-1989, 19891994, and 1994-1999), his visitors are not exlusive of those with NU background, but also those from non-NU or who do not consider social group affiliation as main driver (KOMPAS.com, 22 Juli 2011). Even foreign visitors are not uncommon phenomenon, merit mentioning are the visit of Anwar Ibrahim dari Malaysia, and other prominent figures from Canada, Singapore, South Africa and England (Surabaya Post, 2 February 2010). Gus Dur was known as spending most of his time to campaign for democracy, pluralism, egalitarianism and unity, and has decisive role in national reformation movement (Barton, 1993). During presidency, for instance, he introduced non-violent approach to mute disintegrative movement in Aceh and Irian Jaya with satisfactory results. He made reformation in military structure by pulling it out from politics. He is the first president who apologized to those who fell victim to communist purgatory movement. He made NU as the first sosial organization that accepts National Ideology, Pancasila, as a Sole Guidance. Gur Dur also greatly contributes to pluralism. He, for instance, made attempt to admit the existence of Chinese people in Indonesia by allowing them to practice their religious

Pilgrimage to Bawakaraeng Mountain Among the Bugis-Makassar in Indonesia: A Contestation between Islamic Identity and Local Tradition

2021

This study aims to discuss the contestation of Islamic identity and local traditions of the Bugis-Makassar people in socio-religious life. Tradition contains a belief with form and practices that can still be traced to the present. In this case, the identity of the hajj pilgrimage attached to Muslims has been adapted to the Bawakaraeng Hajj community in the South Sulawesi region. The current research employed a qualitative descriptive approach and on-the-field data collection techniques by conducting observations and interviews with key informants about the Bawakaraeng community. It was found that the Bugis-Makassar tradition of carrying out a series of rituals on the summit of Mount Bawakaraeng is an old tradition indicating a contestation between Islamic identity and local traditions. The term Hajj, which is attached to the designation of Bawakaraeng Hajj, is a media contesting with the mainstream Hajj due to the strong influence of Islamization in South Sulawesi. Likewise, contestation takes place in three forms. First, mild contestation that shows religion and tradition accept and complement each other. Second, open contestation that openly distinguishes religious practices and traditions. Third, the contestation that seeks to impose influence upon one another is showing a frontal conflict between religion and local traditions. This study suggests that the study of Islam and culture in Indonesia, as a multicultural nation, still needs to be studied contextually and comprehensively as an ever-changing social phenomenon.

Making "Arab" One´s Own: Muslim Pilgrimage Experiences in Central Java, Indonesia

2018

Mobility has always been a central aspect for Islamic cultures in Indonesia. Arab, Persian and Indian traders who landed on the coasts of Java and Sumatra spread the revelation of the Prophet Muhammad throughout the archipelago. The increasingly popular pilgrimage tourism, a more recent form of mobility, brings Indonesia to the Arab world, generating new images about other regions and cultures. By analysing Javanese pilgrims' retrospective narrations of pilgrimage experiences, I show how the perceptions of an Indonesian self and an Arab other manifest current characteristics of popular urban Muslim culture as well as enforce traditional Javanese values. As a result of encounters with other Islamic cultures in Mecca, Javanese pilgrims' self-confidence is reinforced and views on the Arab world are diversified. Furthermore, the communitas with fellow Javanese, Indonesian and Southeast Asian Muslims that pilgrims experience during the ritual essentially contributes to their iden...

Exploration_of_wali_songo_nine_saints_ziyarat_in_Indonesia_from_religious_tourism_pilgrimage_perspective_2_.pdf

Abdul Hamid, 2024

Exploration of wali-songo (nine saints) ziyarat in Indonesia from religious tourism (pilgrimage) perspective Badrah Uyuni a , Khairan Muhammad arief b , Mohammad adnan c , abdul hamid a and sutiono a a As-syafiiyah islamic university, Jakarta, indonesia; b islamic state university Jakarta, Jakarta, indonesia; c syarif Hidayatullah islamic state university, Jakarta, indonesia ABSTRACT indonesia possesses a wealth of cultural assets, encompassing a wide range of traditions and islamic heritage, which presents a significant opportunity for the development of tourism. this investigation delves into the Wali-songo pilgrimage, a revered practice centered around nine influential saints who played a crucial role in propagating islam throughout Java during the 15th and 16th centuries. combining elements of worship and tourism, this pilgrimage attracts a diverse array of visitors, both local and international. the objective of this research is to examine the growth of islamic tourism in indonesia, with a specific focus on the Wali-songo tradition, by mapping out tourist destinations and evaluating their potential. the findings underscore a burgeoning interest in islamic tourism, highlighting the necessity for enhanced management and amenities at these sites. the results show that islamic tourism potential continues to grow and attract indonesian and society abroad. the increase in visits to this site and improved management and facilities for pilgrims, including information related to Wali-songo, will further introduce how the saints preached and spread islam in the archipelago.

The Commodification of Umrah Pilgrimage in Indonesia: Between Worship and Lifestyle

2020

The novelty of this research lies in its ability to explain the process of commodification in the context of the role of the actors who carry out the commodification, the meaning of the Umrah community in the phenomenon of commodification, and the impact of commodification on Muslim hyperreality. This study aims to determine and explain the commodification of Umrah worship through Umrah travel agents by using a qualitative research method and case study approach. The high enthusiasm of Indonesian Muslims for carrying out the Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina City is a result of the commodification of Umrah travel through Umrah travel agencies transforming transitional forms of worship into commercial commodities. The purpose of worship, which initially sought tranquility, has been turned into a commercial activity with the purpose of making a profit. Commodification makes the meaning of worship more artificial from a religious perspective, and further strengthens the symbolic rea...

The Architecture of Pilgrimage: A study on the Ziyara Bogal and charismatic authority in the Tijaniyya

Pilgrimage plays an important role in many religious traditions. Indeed, one of the five pillars of Islam is the Hajj – the pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim is expected to perform at least once in their life. But this isn’t the only ritual of its kind present in Islam. Indeed, a common practice in Sufism is the Ziyara – a pilgrimage or visit to a saint or the tomb of a saint. This study aims to give a comprehensive overview of one of these pilgrimages – the Ziyara Bogal of the Tijaniyya Sufi order. Through observational methods and interviews, the present thesis will look at strategies of ritualization and charismatic authority, as well as the political implications of the pilgrimage in West African society. Extensive fieldwork was conducted in Senegal, The Gambia and in the diasporic community in Sweden both during the pilgrimage itself and several months before and after, and theories relating to the main themes (ritualization, charismatic authority) is used to analyze the material. As such, the study will map out multiple significant aspects of the ziyara and give an insight into how Islam is lived and practiced in the region.

PILGRIMAGE TRADITION AT THE TOMB OF KYAI AGENG MUHAMMAD BESARI TEGALSARI, PONOROGO: RELIGIOUS TOURISM AND STRENGTHENING NATIONAL IDENTITY

Jurnal Lektur Keagamaan, 2023

This article describes the pilgrimage tradition at the Tomb of Kyai Ageng Muhammad Besari in Ponorogo, East Java. The article aims to reveal the figure of Kyai Ageng Muhammad Besari and its role in Ponorogo, and the form of rituals and motivations of pilgrims. Further, it explores the aspect of religious tourism of this tomb and how it could be related to the strengthening of national identity. The study employed qualitative design. The data was collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The study results show that the tradition of pilgrimage of the tomb of Kyai Ageng Muhammad Besar has ritual and social aspects; the motivations of pilgrims are based on: mystical beliefs, worship, appreciation of ulama, and simply grave pilgrimage (ziarah kubur). This study enriches the literature on the religious tourism and socio-religious practice of the local people by visiting the grave of pious figures.