A Study on Polarization of Political Behavior of Tarekat Community in West Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

Tuanku as a charismatic figure in the Tarekat community, who plays a significant socio-political role. He is still placed as source of “fatwa” to political choice of the community. This study uses descriptive-phenomenological methods. To understand the meaning of the Tarekat community towards to various socio-political activities and patterns of social relations between Tarekat community with society, researchers conducted a focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with the Tarekat community. Observations were carried out paying attention to both political behavior of Tarekat community and socio-political dynamic of the society related to the religious teachings and understandings where Tarekat activities are practiced. This study elucidates the following: first, the political behavior of Tarekat community in West Sumatra revealed an influential relationship between teacher and student on political choices of Tarekat community and shows the diverse typologies of Tarekat political behavior; Second, in the context of understanding the religious struggle of Tarekat in the midst of socio-political dynamics in West Sumatra, the Tarekat community consistently develops lithe and flexible behaviors and activities in the socio-political arena. This study is important in understanding the political behavior of Tarekat community in the vortex of political identity in the political dynamics that occur, and always change