Harmonization Among Religion, Culture, and Nature in Selametan Khitanan Tradition in Demak

Abstract

Selametan khitanan tradition in Demak is accomplished when a son is going to puberty marked by the act of circumcision, which is called sunatan. The objective of this paper is to examine what are the communication patterns in selametan khitanan tradition in Demak. The data is restricted to khitan prayer and traditional songs accompanying barongan performance so that the discussion of the study can be specific. This descriptive qualitative study employs the ethnographic concept of communication with unit analysis theory by Saville-Troike and the communication pattern concept by Dell Hymes. There are three sub communication events, namely tahlilan and khataman, arak-arakan, and barongan performance. As seen from a series of processions in which religiosity are seen in the khitan prayers, cultural elements are seen in the barongan performance, and natural elements that appear during the barongan performance are accompanied by traditional songs that contain meanings related to nature in the lyrics. In the selametan khitanan, there is a harmonious relationship between religion, culture, and nature found by exploring the meaning of khitan prayer and traditional songs lyrics.