INTERAKSI SOSIAL MAKNA SIMBOLIK TRADISI RUWATAN MASYARAKAT JAWA

Abstract

In this article we will discuss the beginnings of the ruwatan tradition, the process of implementing the
ruwatan tradition and the public's belief in the ruwatan tradition. Most Javanese people adhere to the
teachings of Islam, however, regarding the Ruwatan tradition, there are no differences of opinion in society
that result in serious conflict. Regarding the aim of the ruwatan tradition, namely to purify oneself from dirt
to be free from curses. With the ruwatan tradition, humans seem to feel safe and protected from danger and
if they do not carry out this ruwatan tradition, undesirable things will happen. It is as if humans are
affected by sukerta, so someone affected by sukerta must be treated in order to be free from the threat of
Batara Kala (an evil giant). And every time the ruwatan tradition is carried out, it is usually performed by
shadow puppets run by a puppeteer. In the Ruwatan tradition there is a special play, namely Murwakala.
Traditions like this still often occur in society today and have been passed down from generation to
generation and have existed since our ancestors.