CULTURE ACCULTURATION IN INDONESIA: The Tradition Ceremony of Sebaran Apem In Jatinom Klaten, Central Java

Abstract

This study aimed to observe: the openess and discernment of Jatinom soceity in accepting Islamic culture and religion, 2) the ingenuity of Da'i (Islamic preacher) in Islamization, so the Islamization process run peacefully, 3) the cultural acculturation in the tradition ceremony of sebaran apem. This study was historical-ethnographic research. The data were collected by observation, interviews, and documents analysis. The data source of this study were place and event, informants and documents. The data validation conducted by triangulation of sources, methods, and theories. The data were analyzed by interactive models, namely the interaction between data collection with three components of analysis (data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusion). This study was analyzed by history and anthropology theories, specifically the theory of Islamization, traditional ceremony and culture acculturation. The result of this study showed that (1) the tradition ceremony of sebaran apem in Jatinom Klaten was a series of religious activities that show the culture acculturation between indigenous culture (Javanese), Hindu, and Islam, with the domination of Islamic element that seen from the background of ceremonies, the name and role of the figure, site name, visitor activities, pilgrimage traditions, facilities, and sequence of ceremony; (2) Culture acculturation occurs because of the contact and the character of open society, so they were willing to accept the immigrant cultural element and tolerance from both parties (recipients and bearers of culture); (3) the tradition ceremony of sebaran apem occurs because there was contact between the wise and intelligent Islamic figures and Jatinom society which were close to religion, so the society do not feel that the outside cultural elements (Islam) are dominant.