Fostering Dialogue, Tolerance, and Religious Harmony in Indonesia through the Local Tradition of ‘Bersih Desa’

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Hidayatullah M. F., Nasih A. M., Sultoni A., Ismail Z., Gümrükçüoğlu S., Syamsuf A.

Journal of Al-Tamaddun, cilt.21, sa.1, ss.301-316, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 21 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.22452/jat.vol21no1.18
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Al-Tamaddun
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Index Islamicus, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.301-316
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study elucidates the purpose and practices of the Sukodadi bersih desa tradition as a means

of fostering dialogue and strengthening tolerance and harmony among religious communities.

The researcher employs ethnography with a thick descriptive approach to interpret the meaning

and explain the behavior of the bersih desa tradition as it unfolds. The research was conducted

over four months, beginning before the tradition was practiced and ending after it was

completed. The researcher interviewed village officials, interfaith leaders, cultural activists,

and community members. This research aligns with Pierre Bourdieu’s theory that the bersih

desa tradition serves as social capital in creating a path for interfaith dialogue without any party

dominating, as stakeholders and social structures play equal and interdependent roles.

Interreligious dialogue through the bersih desa tradition involves environmental cleansing,

offerings at sacred sites, interfaith prayers, processions with mountain-shaped structures, and

wayang performances. Its essence is to connect with God, ancestors, fellow humans, and

nature. This practice strengthens its adherents while fostering the idea of shared ownership, as

per Clifford Geertz’s theory, through religious rituals, art, and culture. Its contributions lie in

strengthening tolerance and harmony among religious communities by forming emotional

bonds and eliminating religious symbols.