THE CULTURAL EVOLUTION OF LOCAL ISLAMIC VALUES ON THE MULUDAN TRADITION IN CIREBON: A MEMETICS PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The Muludan is a tradition conducted by the Royal family in Cirebon Sultanate on the third month of the Islamic calendar (Rabi' al-awwal) to mark the celebration of the prophet Muhammad's birthday. Thousands of people from some places participate in this tradition. This paper is aimed to elaborate the cultural evolution theory (memetics) introduced by Richard Dawkings which is used to interpret the Muludan tradition as a meme. The role of the agent will be considered as a vector, not an actor. In the meantime, the Muludan can be defined not only as a religious ritual but also as a cultural tradition that has been practiced by the local people for hundred years. The tradition has a system of inheritance such as values, beliefs, behaviors, knowledge, passed down through cultural processes within the scope of the population and the environment. The conclusion is that the meaning behind the Muludan tradition believed by people, so that it develop day by day. They believe that they would gain God blessing (barakah) and Shafa‘at to practice the Muludan ritual.