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 Sundanesetradition and society have united and become one inseparable entity despite theexistence of some differences such as the practice of the mikul lodong ritual inParakansalam and Nyalindung in cipatat District. this study seeks to address thequestion of how the mikul lodong ritual is interpreted as it associates with beliefsystem. the study discusses the Mikul lodong ritual by focusing on the meaning ofsymbols and belief systems. it draws on a qualitative approach with a descriptive casestudy. Primary data was collected through in-depth interviews with traditional, religious,and community leaders. the study relied on observations and direct implications of theauthors in the ritual from conception of the study to its implementation for dataaccuracy. Besides primary data, secondary data was obtained through literature studiesin the form of history textbooks and publications dealing with Sundanese rituals. theresults show that mikul lodong is a very important ritual to the Sundanese people inWest Bandung as it is used to educate the youth and to strengthen moral, social, andreligious values in the community. it is also used to help preserve and protect theenvironment through the harmonization of the relationship between nature, humans,and god. the study notes that mikul lodong ritual in Sundanese society has manysymbols, meanings, and beliefs to perpetuate the ancestral (karuhun) heritage with thereligion. this creates a religiosity and cultural dynamism within Sundanese society.IMPACT STATEMENTthe study discusses the mikul lodong ritual by focusing on the meaning of symbols andbelief systems. in so doing, the study addresses the question of how Sundanese peopleinterpret the mikul lodong ritual associated with their belief system. the study notesthat despite the modernization of the nation and the advent of technology in indonesia,ritual practices have always existed and will more likely continue to exist withinindonesian societies including the Sundanese society, in West Java, indonesia wherebymikul lodong ritual is used to educate the youth and to protect the environment