Women's Role in Nyadran as Local Wisdom Preservation

Abstract

Nyadran is an activity that is carried out in fishing communities with the themes of salvation in the sea and praying at ancestors’ tombs. Every year, the nyadran Bluru village community performs these rituals as an expression of gratitude and hope for salvation and blessings from God Almighty. The purpose of this study was to examine the significance of women’s roles in the preservation of nyadran traditions, which are recognized as a form of local wisdom in the city of Sidoarjo. Qualitative methods were used with a case study approach. 20 women participated, and the informants consisted of members of the Bluru village community, community leaders, organizers, and 20 female fisher families. Observations, interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis were used to collect the data and triangulation was carried out. The findings revealed that women play an important role in the preservation of nyadran local wisdom by preparing objects of salvation in the sea, preparing special food for ritual nyadran practices such as grilled chicken, kupat lepet, and plantain, all of which have symbolic value, and encouraging sons and daughters, other family, and friends in carrying out the tradition. Keywords: women’s role, nyadran, local wisdom, preservation