Qur'anic Interpretation of Ashura Day Celebrations in Mappasagena Culture of Buginese Community of South Sulawesi - Indonesia

Abstract

Many Muslims continue to believe that Ashura is a custom and ceremony that is associated with expressing worry about the Karbala event, however in the Buginese community of South Sulawesi, this tradition is entwined with community culture, transforming it into a Buginese-specific tradition. The purpose of this study is to address the following three issues: (a) How is the community’s understanding of the Mappasagena Culture practiced in the Ashura day celebration for the Buginese community of south Sulawesi, Indonesia? (b) What factors contribute to the Buginese community’s belief in the rewards associated with mappasagena ritual compliance? (c) How the Buginese community in South Sulawesi preserved the Mappasagena culture based on the Qur’an? This article concludes the Mappasagena ritual is a regional custom preserved by the Buginese community of South Sulawesi. The tradition survives in the modern era influenced by the beliefs and the expectation of a prosperous and spacious life until new year. They also experience the influence directly or indirectly when they join in Mappasagena celebrations. Meanwhile, participation of actors such as religious leaders, traditional leaders, and traders helps maintain the mappasagena tradition among the Buginese community of South Sulawesi.

Keywords

• ashura
• mappasagena
• buginese community
• local tradition
• al-qur’an
• religious system