The representation of the Tulak Bala tradition among the South Acehnese community has undergone a transformation from animistic practices to Islamic rituals aligned with religious values. This tradition is performed annually in the month of Safar through a series of communal activities. This study seeks to answer the central question: How is the Tulak Bala tradition represented in the South Acehnese community? Employing an ethnographic approach, the research explores the meanings, symbols, modes of implementation, and belief systems embedded in the tradition. The findings highlight the significance of preserving cultural traditions amid the pressures of modernization and illustrate how the integration of customary practices with Islamic teachings fosters both social and spiritual harmony. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the need to promote intergenerational dialogue to ensure that such traditions remain relevant and appreciated across societal strata. The research underscores the importance of reinforcing the synthesis between customary values and Islamic teachings to ensure the continued relevance of the tradition in the face of modernization.
Maulina et al. (Thu,) studied this question.