Interpreting Sundanese ritual practices at the mikul lodong ceremony in Cipatat, West Bandung, Indonesia

Since the arrival of Islam on the Indonesian archipelago, religion and the Sundanese tradition and society have united and become one inseparable entity despite the existence of some differences such as the practice of the mikul lodong ritual in Parakansalam and Nyalindung in Cipatat District. This study seeks to address the question of how the mikul lodong ritual is interpreted as it associates with belief system. The study discusses the Mikul lodong ritual by focusing on the meaning of symbols and belief systems. It draws on a qualitative approach with a descriptive case study. Primary data was collected through in-depth interviews with traditional, religious, and community leaders. The study relied on observations and direct implications of the authors in the ritual from conception of the study to its implementation for data accuracy. Besides primary data, secondary data was obtained through literature studies in the form of History textbooks and publications dealing with Sundanese rituals. The results show that mikul lodong is a very important ritual to the Sundanese people in West Bandung as it is used to educate the youth and to strengthen moral, social, and religious values in the community. It is also used to help preserve and protect the environment through the harmonization of the relationship between nature, humans, and God. The study notes that mikul lodong ritual in Sundanese society has many symbols, meanings, and beliefs to perpetuate the ancestral (karuhun) heritage with the religion. This creates a religiosity and cultural dynamism within Sundanese society.