FORM AND SYMBOLIC MEANING IN THE TEDHAK SITEN TRADITION IN MRENTUL VILLAGE BONOROWO DISTRICT KEBUMEN REGENCY

Abstract

This study aims to describe the form of the tedhak siten tradition and its symbolic meaning as practiced by the community in Mrentul Village, Bonorowo District, Kebumen Regency. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method. Data collection was carried out using observation, interviews, and documentation techniques. Geertz's symbolism theory was applied to interpret the symbols of offerings in the tedhak siten tradition. The results of the study show that the tedhak siten tradition consists of elements of the origin of the tradition, the time of implementation, the place of implementation, the actors of the tradition, and the sequence of implementation of the tradition. The tedhak siten tradition is still preserved as a cultural heritage passed down from generation to generation by the Javanese people. The tedhak siten tradition is performed when a child is pitung lapan (1 lapan: 35 days in the Javanese calendar) or 245 days in the Gregorian calendar. The symbolic meaning of each offering, such as the seven-colored jadah, sugar cane ladder, chicken cage, and udhik-udhik, represents the parents' hopes for their child's future, that they will become an independent, moral individual who is useful to society. This tradition also reflects the acculturation between Javanese culture and Islamic teachings that still exists in modern society.