Representasi Syiar Islam dan Akulturasi Jawa-Islam dalam Cerita Rakyat Pacitan

Abstract

This study examines how Islamic preaching and Javanese–Islamic acculturation are represented in Pacitan folk narratives. Although local stories preserve religious and cultural values, their meanings are increasingly at risk of being misunderstood or lost amid social change and limited documentation. The study aims to describe the narrative strategies, symbols, and cultural practices through which Islamic teachings are conveyed in the stories compiled in Kumpulan Cerita dari Kota 1001 Goa. It uses a qualitative narrative-ethnographic approach and document analysis of 16 stories, interpreting their literal and symbolic meanings through symbolic hermeneutics. The findings show that Islamic preaching is represented through charismatic religious figures and symbols of authority, including Eyang Tunggul Wulung and his black banner. Acculturation also appears in local objects and practices, such as cengkir (young coconut), water, the Tetaken tradition, and the Adu Kelapa ritual, which are associated with monotheism, devotion, humility, and moral responsibility. These narratives suggest that local cultural forms were adapted as contextual media for conveying Islamic values rather than simply discarded. The study contributes to research on folklore and cultural acculturation and highlights the potential of Pacitan stories as resources for local-content education and cultural preservation.