Ruwatan terhadap Anak Tunggal (Studi Kasus di Desa Beringin, Kec. Beringin kabupaten Deli Serdang, Sumatera Utara)

Abstract

Tradition is an action that occurs repeatedly, which is carried out and passed down from generation to generation. One of the traditions of the Javanese people, namely the ruwatan tradition, is one of the traditional Javanese heritages which is still preserved today. The ruwatan tradition is carried out as a request so that humans are saved from disturbances and disasters that threaten their lives and lives. Through ruwatan, humans feel protected. Ruwatan is a purification ritual that is still widely practiced in Javanese society. This tradition is usually carried out using shadow puppet media. The purpose of this study is to find out what the process of the ruwatan tradition is, to find out why only children are treated, and to find out the meaning of the ruwatan tradition for only children. This research method uses descriptive qualitative methods with field research to obtain data and information from local people who still preserve Javanese customs, namely the ruwatan tradition. Data collection techniques using observation techniques, interview sources, and supporting data. The results of this study indicate that most Javanese people still carry out this ruwatan tradition, there is an only-child ruwatan procession with a shadow puppets performance telling the story of murwakala which is done to free themselves (the sukerta child group). This ruwatan ceremony is complemented by the requirements for equipment and offerings that must be prepared, with the ritual carried out by the Javanese people in Beringin Village, whose Javanese ethnicity still carries out the ruwatan tradition, especially for only children, because only children are privileged. An only child does not have siblings, whether brothers, sisters, or brothers, afraid of becoming Betara Kala's food so he must and is obliged to do rituals. Many other sukerta children were treated for rituals, but in Beringin Village there was only an only child who was treated for rituals.