TRADISI RUWATAN DI MATA MASYARAKAT DESA PAGERALANG

Abstract

For the Javanese people, the existence of wayang has become a tradition. This existence is marked by the birth of dalangs who perform wayang performances with increasing creativity between generations. Wayang kulit apart from being a spectacle is also used as a medium and a means of providing certain information. Until finally the function of wayang performances, which was originally only a spectacle, became a guide, a medium of communication in delivering certain information and even preaching. The wayang kulit show, which is a traditional Javanese art, is closely related to the cycle of human life. Humans will be bound by a system of values or norms adopted and agreed upon by society. And one of the norms that apply to Javanese society is ruwatan. This ruwatan tradition aims to save and purify human beings from various sins that have been committed and avoid calamity. People belonging to the Sukerta group (dirty and sinful) must be treated, otherwise their lives will be miserable and endanger their family and environment. So then ruwatan through wayang kulit performances with certain stories and mantras the Javanese believe they are not unlucky and will not be afraid about life in the future.