Indonesia is a country rich in diversity in culture, tradition, and beliefs. In addition to six religions recognized by the government (Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism), many local beliefs still exist.
These local beliefs or in Indonesian known as aliran kepercayaan. According to the data from the Ministry of Education and Culture in 2017, there are 187 traditional belief groups in Indonesia.
Traditional beliefs are rooted in values believed by ancestors and later become unwritten laws and moral codes that regulate people’s social conduct in life.
Here are five traditional or indigenous beliefs that still exist in Indonesia:
Kejawen
As cited in Indonesia.go.id, Kejawen is a belief that exists in Java Island. According to old manuscripts, Kejawen refers to tradition, culture, attitude, and ritual that cannot be separated from Javanese people’s spirituality.
Generally speaking, Kejawen is a culture that teaches good manners in social life. Kejawen also encourages people to believe in their God.
Some of the traditions carried out by Kejawen sect followers are familiar, such as mithoni (a ritual ceremony when a 7-month pregnant woman gets showering hoping for safety for a mom and her newborn) and tedak siten(a ritual to celebrate the first time a child steps on the ground).
Sunda Wiwitan
Sunda Wiwitan existed before the arrival of Hinduism and Buddhism. This belief teaches people must live in harmony and take care of their nature.
Sunda Wiwitan believes in one God called Sang Hyang Kersa. Several traditions of Sunda Wiwitan have Islamic and Hinduism influences.
Kanekes Village in Lebak Regency, Banten Province, is a place where people embrace this belief.
Aluk Todolo
Aluk Todolo is the belief that exists in Toraja, South Sulawesi. In a local language, Aluk means social conduct or way of life, and Todolo means ancestors.
Aluk Todolo teaches its followers to worship their creator, Puang Matua, and ancestor. Also, this belief encourages people to live in harmony and take care of Mother Earth.
One of the ceremonies that still exists is the funeral tradition called Rambu Solo'. It is a tradition where people present animals (pigs and buffalos) to the deceased aimed at taking the spirits of the death to the spirit realm.
Kaharingan
Kaharingan is an indigenous belief of Dayak ethic groups in Kalimantan. It existed before the arrival of other religions. Most of its followers are in Central and South Kalimantan.
Kaharingan in the local language means something that can be source of life.The teaching believes in one God, which called with various names.
Kaharingan believers believe that everyone must take of the nature. They will not open their forests without the permission of what they call"the spirits of the forests.
In addition, the belief has a symbol called Batang Garing (tree of life). The symbol is commonly seen in Dayak traditional clothes.
Marapu
Marapu is the belief in Sumba Island, East Nusa Tenggara. The teaching believes that the spirits of the ancestors can connect humans with The Creator.
One of the unique traditions is stone stone burial ceremony. It is when a deceased person is buried and covered by a huge stone with carved symbols. Those symbols reflect how that person lived.
Before pulling that stone, Sumbanese people must get permission from the guardian of the stone through a ceremony called Ogo Watu and Tingu Watu.
