THE SACRED SITE: THE CONSERVATION BASED ON THE LOCAL PEOPLE IN TENGGER COMMUNITY AND ITS POTENTIAL AS ECOTOURISM ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Tengger is one of the Java sub-tribes that has a belief system in the form of a life view calledKejawen. Kejawen's life is a view that is considered holistic in looking at the environment. The traditionalwisdom of the Tengger community in the management of natural resources is one of the living andsustainable local wisdom in Indonesia. One of the local wisdom associated with environmental managementis the existence of sacred areas as a part of environmental conservation. This research was conducted inNgadas Village, Poncokusumo District, Malang Regency. The purpose of this study is to study the types ofareas that are sacred by the Tengger community and the factors behind the existence of the area as a partof the conservation-based ecotourism. This research was conducted by interviewing the key person of thetraditional leader. The interview materials in questions include the types of sacred places and the reasonbehind the area is sacred. The research results showed that the form of preservation of certain sacredareas has a unique ecosystem and shows the historical ties. The areas considered by the Ngadascommunity as sacred sites have indigenous values such as Pedanyangan, Sanggar Agung, Mbah Sedektombs, Punden Kutungan, the mount of Bromo, the mount of Semeru, Savanna land and Bromo caldera andother sacred sites. The sacred place is highly respected by the Tengger people. Norms and values inTengger culture incorporate with the respect for the sacred places. The existence of these sacred areas canbe used as a part of environmental conservation-based ecotourism.