Paper short abstract:

In many parts of Indonesia a transformation of local ritual practices (adat) is taking place, in order to meet the requirements of a modern religion (agama). This paper discusses the disintegration and persistence of multi-religious rituals on Lombok using the Lingsar Festival (Pujawali Pura Lingsar) as an ethnographic example.

Paper long abstract:

In many parts of Indonesia, a transformation of local ritual practices (adat) is taking place in order to meet the requirements of a modern religion (agama). This transformation is happening hand in hand with a codification of ritual performances and a process of rationalization within religious belief systems. Commonly performed, multi-religious rituals are being suspended and clear-cut boundaries between religious groups defined which finally allow socio-economic conflicts to be settled along religious lines. This paper discusses the disintegration of multi-religious rituals, as well as their persistence in central Indonesia, using the island of Lombok as an ethnographic example. Particular attention is paid to the Lingsar Festival (Pujawali Pura Lingsar), where, in a variety of ritual events, Hindus and Muslims, Balinese and Sasak emphasize what connects and what separates them as distinctive ethnic and religious groups. Ambivalence and uncertainty find their visible expression in a symbolic battle between Muslims and Hindus, which is settled with rice cakes (perang topat), but nonetheless performed with great seriousness, not entirely free from aggression.