The commodification of pilgrimage tradition: An ethnographic study of Sunan Bonang tomb Tuban

Ghozi, Ahmad, Purwasito, Andrik, Warto, Warto and Rais, Wakit Abdullah (2024) The commodification of pilgrimage tradition: An ethnographic study of Sunan Bonang tomb Tuban. International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences, 9 (4). pp. 158-165. ISSN 2456-7620

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Abstract

Over time, pilgrimage is perceived to be a part of tourism and recreational activities. Besides
facilitating people to commemorate and pray for the ones inside the tomb, this tradition also opens up the
local economic circulation. This study aimed to examine the idea of commodification of Sunan Bonang
Tomb from sacred space to religious tourism. It is grounded on a series of field studies from September
2022 to January 2023 in which researchers observed pilgrimage ritual activities at Sunan Bonang Tomb,
Tuban, Indonesia interviewed 17 pilgrims and 9 key informants - the administrators of the Sunan Bonang
Mabarrot Foundation, religious and community leaders, artists or cultural observers, and representatives
of the Tuban Regency government- and reviewed old archives, published articles, and books. It employed
an ethnographic study. The study found that the commodification of Sunan Bonang Tomb reflected changes
in people's views and attitudes towards pilgrimage traditions. The pilgrimage used to be performed for
respect and devotion to the ancestors and holy places, yet now it has become a religious tourist attraction
for commercial purposes and public tourism. Commodification does not necessarily happen the way it is
but is supported by some stakeholders, such as foundations, governments, religious leaders, investors, and
local communities. Although the commodification promises economic benefits to the local area, it is
necessary to preserve the sacred and cultural values attached to the tomb.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	Commodification; Sunan Bonang tomb; religious tourism; pilgrimage
Subjects:	20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2002 Cultural Studies
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities > Department of English Language and Letters
Depositing User:	M.A. Ahmad Ghozi
Date Deposited:	30 Oct 2024 11:29

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