Wiwitan Tradition in Guling Village, Pakunden, Ngluwar, Magelang: Ethnolinguistic Study

Abstract

This research provides a detailed exploration of the Wiwitan tradition, a ceremonial practice performed by farmers to initiate the rice harvest, analyzed from an ethnolinguistic perspective. Set in Guling Village, an agricultural community in Magelang, Central Java, the Wiwitan tradition remains a cornerstone of local cultural and spiritual life. Using a qualitative descriptive approach with an anthropological focus, this study draws on a comprehensive interview with Mbah Kaum, a respected elder who plays a central role in the ritual. Examining the ceremony through mystical, ontological, and functional lenses, the findings reveal the ritual’s deep connection to the community’s belief in supernatural forces, which are thought to influence the success of the harvest. The event, carefully organized by local leaders on selected dates, includes symbolic offerings to ensure the fertility of the rice fields. This research not only offers fresh insights into the Wiwitan tradition, highlighting overlooked aspects, but also contributes to broader discussions on how rituals sustain cultural identity and foster social cohesion in agricultural societies.