Religion, Culture, and Modernity

Negotiating the Suroan Ritual in Wonokerto, Lumajang

Abstract

The Suroan tradition is an annual ritual observed by the Javanese community to commemorate the Islamic New Year. This ritual dates back to the Islamic Mataram era, particularly under the leadership of Sultan Agung, who integrated the Saka and Hijri calendars. Over time, the Suroan ritual spread to Wonokerto, Lumajang, where it has become an annual cultural event. The people of Wonokerto celebrate Suroan with various traditional performances, including Tayub Jaran Kencak, Karapan Sapi, Ojung, and Wayang, which take place over three days. However, the organisation of the Suroan ritual faces challenges, particularly from modernity, which often perceives traditional rituals as signs of a static society resistant to change. This research examines the negotiation process between religion, culture, and modernity in the Suroan ritual of Wonokerto, Lumajang. Employing an ethnographic approach, including participant observation and interviews, this study explores how the Wonokerto community adapts traditional rituals within a modern framework. The findings reveal that the negotiation process within the Wonokerto community follows a long-standing pattern established by Sunan Kalijaga and Sultan Agung, encapsulated in the concept of ngeli tanpa keli (going with the flow without being swept away). Rather than rejecting modern influences, the Suroan tradition strategically incorporates modern elements to sustain its relevance and reach a wider audience. The annual festivalisation of the Suroan ritual, spearheaded by the village government, serves two key purposes: first, to ensure the preservation of traditional rituals; and second, to capitalise on cultural tourism as a means of boosting the local economy. Thus, the negotiation between tradition and modernity in Wonokerto demonstrates that cultural heritage can be preserved not through resistance but through adaptation and strategic engagement with contemporary societal developments.