Padusan Tradition: Environmental Preservation Efforts and Self-Approach to God

¹ Faculty of Humanities, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
² Language and Culture Faculty, University of 17 August 1945, Semarang, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: alamsyah.fib@live.undip.ac.id

Abstract

The people of Java Jepara have an interesting tradition related to efforts to preserve the environment while drawing closer to God. The tradition is called Padusan. Padusan is carried out by the community located at the northern end of Jepara, precisely in Tempur Village before the month of Ramadan. Before entering the month of Ramadan, villagers who are predominantly Muslims do padusan by jointly bathing in the river. Padusan or adus or bathing has a meaning related to the environment and religion. Padusan in addition to efforts to clean the body physically is also interpreted as an effort to clean spiritually. In the physical context, padusan is done to cleanse oneself physically and mentally. Related to Padusan and this environment, people believe in Islamic teachings that affirm that every believer always maintains chastity. Therefore, in entering the month of Ramadan, padusan is an individual effort in welcoming the holy month. In the environmental aspect, padusan as an effort to maintain and preserve the nature of the surrounding environment. Through this tradition, it shows that there is a very close relationship between the community and its environment. There is a common spirit that efforts to preserve nature and the environment are part of human life that must be carried out.