The Earth Charity Ritual (Methik Pari) in Maintaining Ecological Balance in Tugu Village, Rejotangan, Tulungagung Regency
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Abstract
The Sedekah Bumi (Methik Pari) ritual, practiced by the community of Tugu Village, Rejotangan Subdistrict, Tulungagung Regency, is an agrarian tradition that serves not only as a cultural and religious expression but also plays a role in maintaining ecological balance. This study aims to analyze the role of the Methik Pari Ritual as a socio-ecological knowledge system that supports environmental conservation, natural resource management, and the resilience of agrarian communities. The study employs a qualitative approach using ecological ethnography. Data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews with traditional leaders, village heads, farmers, and community leaders, focus group discussions (FGDs), and documentary analysis. Data analysis was conducted thematically using the frameworks of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Social-Ecological Systems (SES). The results indicate that the Methik Pari Ritual functions as a community-based resource management mechanism that strengthens social solidarity, transmits ecological knowledge across generations, and promotes conservation-oriented behavior in agricultural land management. This ritual instills values of environmental conservation, such as limiting excessive land exploitation, maintaining soil fertility, and protecting agricultural ecosystems. Despite facing challenges such as the renewal of ritual practitioners, urbanization, agricultural modernization, budget constraints, and climate change, the community has demonstrated its ability to adapt by revitalizing and transforming the ritual into a more inclusive village program. This study concludes that the Methik Pari Ritual is a local knowledge system that contributes to environmental sustainability, strengthened social cohesion, and the community’s socio-ecological resilience. Therefore, the recognition and integration of traditional ecological knowledge into environmental policies and sustainable development are crucial for preserving the ritual’s continuity and its ecological functions.
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