Cultural hybridization in the veneration of a Javanese local hero as a kongco at Lasem’s Gie Yong Bio Chinese temple during Indonesia’s reformation Era

Abstract

The investigation of cultural hybridization at a kelenteng (ancestral temple) in Lasem, Central Java, Indonesia, during the Reformation Era is a crucial and underexplored phenomenon. This study addresses the question of how the elevation of a small artifact, namely the statue of a local Javanese figure, to the status of kongco (patron ancestor) has triggered cultural hybridization in this small town. Data for this study was collected through meticulous observation and interviews conducted with key figures, community members, and cultural practitioners who possess extensive knowledge and experience in the realm of cultural hybridity in Kelenteng Lasem. The study’s findings illuminate that cultural hybridity does not solely result from comprehensive processes of socio-cultural interaction, but also from the collective memory of the community, emphasizing the significance of cooperation in fostering harmonious socio-cultural life. These processes are further facilitated by the active involvement of social authorities in cultivating more inclusive patterns of cultural interaction and communication. The study’s outcomes provide valuable insights for social authorities to shape policies and effectively manage religious diversity in pluralistic societies.