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

Abstract

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.