Nyalase as a Socio-Cultural Interface Between the Sacred and the Profane in Madura, East Java, Indonesia

Nyalase Sebagai Ruang Pertemuan Antara Dimensi Sakral dan Profan di Madura, Jawa Timur, Indonesia

Abstract

The Nyalase practice, as a religious tradition of the Madurese community in East Java, Indonesia, is often regarded as a tradition of little value. Nyalase is a ritual that includes activities such as cleaning graves, planting ornamental plants on tombs, sharing a meal at the cemetery, and conducting communal prayers and tahlil. These activities reflect the encounter between two distinct dimensions: the sacred and the profane. To understand this dynamic, the research refers to the theory of Mircea Eliade, who asserts that human life always exists within a space where sacred and profane experiences intersect. In this study, the sacred refers to matters imbued with religious or holy significance, while the profane refers to the ordinary, everyday aspects of life that are not sacred. This research employs a literature review approach, gathering and analyzing relevant references such as books, academic articles, and other written sources to examine the subject matter in depth. The findings of this study indicate that the Nyalase tradition serves as a mediating medium between the sacred and the profane. Through this tradition, the Madurese community can experience profound spiritual moments, while also affirming that sacred elements can manifest within spaces and activities that are ordinarily profane. This highlights the cultural function of Nyalase as a collective transcendental experience.