Living Quran in the Merti Desa Tradition: Symbolism and Cultural Meaning
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33511/alfanar.v7n2.140-154Keywords:
Living quran, Merti Desa tradition, cultural symbolism, symbolic interactionism, local wisdomAbstract
The Merti Desa tradition represents a form of local wisdom that reflects the interaction between cultural values and Islamic teachings within community life. Various cultural symbols embedded in this tradition are interpreted as representations of Quranic values, making it a significant manifestation of the Living Quran phenomenon. This study aims to examine the symbolism and cultural meanings embodied in the Merti Desa tradition and to explore how communities interpret symbols associated with Quranic values. Employing a qualitative approach grounded in Herbert Blumer’s theory of symbolic interactionism, data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation involving a Muslim community in Indonesia that continues to preserve the tradition. Data were analyzed through reduction, categorization, interpretation, and meaning-making processes. The findings reveal that Quranic values are expressed through cultural symbols such as apem pasung, ketan gedhang, and nasi tumpeng, which symbolize gratitude, social cohesion, blessings, and harmonious relationships between humans, God, and fellow human beings. These findings demonstrate that the Quran functions not merely as a normative text but also as a living source of meaning manifested in cultural practices. This study contributes to Living Quran scholarship by highlighting the dynamic relationship between sacred texts, cultural symbolism, and local wisdom in Muslim societies.
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