Religious practices and local wisdom in Hajat Bumi tradition: An ethnographic study of an agrarian community

Abstract

Background: Hajat Bumi is a living cultural practice among agrarian communities in Lakbok, Ciamis, West Java, where Islamic values, local wisdom, and Sundanese–Javanese traditions intersect. This study examines how religious values and local wisdom are expressed, maintained, and interpreted through Hajat Bumi, including its implications for cultural identity and community-based halal tourism. Methods: This study employed a qualitative ethnographic approach. Data were generated through field observation, semi-structured in-depth interviews with 13 purposively selected informants, and documentation of ritual practices, cultural expressions, and community activities. Data were analyzed thematically and interpreted through triangulation of interviews, observations, and documentation. Findings: Hajat Bumi functions as an expression of gratitude for agricultural livelihoods and as a means of strengthening social cohesion, transmitting cultural values, maintaining collective memory, and expressing Islamic values through gratitude (syukur), prayer (doa), charity (sedekah), and social connectedness (silaturahmi). Ruwatan, Kidung Lakbok, and Wayang Kila contribute to local cultural identity, while the interaction of Sundanese and Javanese elements demonstrates cultural acculturation through adaptation and continuity. The tradition also presents potential for community-based halal tourism when religious values, cultural authenticity, and community participation are maintained. Conclusion: Hajat Bumi represents a living religious-cultural practice connecting Islamic values, agrarian local wisdom, social cohesion, and cultural identity. Its sustainability depends on community participation, cultural adaptation, and intergenerational transmission. Its integrated religious and cultural dimensions provide a basis for culturally sensitive community-based halal tourism. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study integrates religious practices, agrarian local wisdom, Sundanese–Javanese cultural acculturation, community identity, and halal tourism potential through an ethnographic examination of Hajat Bumi in Lakbok.