Islamic Spectrum in Java (Anthropology and Cultural History in Asia and the Indo-Pacific)

210 Pages·2009·3.74 MB·English

by  Timothy Daniels

Islamic Spectrum in Java
Timothy Daniels
islamic spectrum in java
anthropology and cultural History
in Asia and the Indo-Pacific
series editors:
pamela j. stewart and andrew strathern
university of pittsburgh, usa
This series offers a fresh perspective on Asian and Indo-Pacific
anthropology. acknowledging the increasing impact of transnational
flows of ideas and practices across borders, the series widens the
established geographical remit of asian studies to consider the entire indo-
Pacific region. In addition to focussed ethnographic studies, the series
incorporates thematic work on issues of cross-regional impact, including
globalization, the spread of terrorism, and alternative medical practices.
the series further aims to be innovative in its disciplinary breadth, linking
anthropological theory with studies in cultural history and religious studies,
thus reflecting the current creative interactions between anthropology and
historical scholarship that are enriching the study of Asia and the Indo-Pacific
region. While the series covers classic themes within the anthropology of the
region such as ritual, political and economic issues will also be tackled. studies
of adaptation, change and conflict in small-scale situations enmeshed in wider
currents of change will have a significant place in this range of foci.
We publish scholarly texts, both single-authored and collaborative as well
as collections of thematically organized essays. the series aims to reach a
core audience of anthropologists and asian studies specialists, but also to be
accessible to a broader multidisciplinary readership.
Recent titles in the series
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islamic spectrum in java
timotHy daniels
Hofstra University, USA
© timothy daniels 2009
all rights reserved. no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher.
timothy daniels has asserted his right under the copyright, designs and patents act, 1988,
to be identified as the author of this work.
published by
ashgate publishing limited ashgate publishing company
Wey court east suite 420
union road 101 cherry street
Farnham Burlington
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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
daniels, timothy 1960-
islamic spectrum in java. -- (anthropology and cultural
history in Asia and the Indo-Pacific)
1. Islam and culture--Indonesia--Java. 2. Java (Indonesia)--
Civilization--Islamic influences.
i. title ii. series
959.8'2'0088297-dc22
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
daniels, timothy 1960-
islamic spectrum in java / by timothy daniels.
p. cm. -- (anthropology and cultural history in asia and the
Indo-Pacific)
includes bibliographical references and index.
isBn 978-0-7546-7626-3
1. islam--social aspects--indonesia--java. i. title.
Bp173.25.d35 2009
306.6'97095982--dc22
2009011258
isBn 978-0-7546-7626-3 (hbk)
isBn 978-0-7546-9719-0 (ebk.V)
contents
List of Figures and Map vii
Series Editors’ Preface – Modernity and Islam in Java ix
Andrew Strathern and Pamela J. Stewart
Acknowledgments xv
A Note on Transliteration and Spelling xvii
introduction 1
1 city of culture, tourist objects and difference as Fetish 15
2 locating “islam” Between thin veneer and normative piety 35
3 Dukun, Kyai and Ustadz: Healing along the spectrum 55
4 social drama, Dangdut and popular culture 81
5 muslim puritans, cultural Dakwah and reformation 95
6 student theatre, social critique and equalization 115
7 Maiyah, communitas and common people 133
conclusion 157
Glossary 169
Bibliography 173
Index 183
This page has been left blank intentionally
list of Figures and map
map 1.1 map of the province of the special territory of
Yogyakarta (Map by author) 17
1.1 javanese muslims making offerings at sacred cepuri
site (Photo by author) 24
1.2 palace servants carrying gunungan during Gerebeg
(Photo by author) 26
2.1 Groups seeking tenaga dalam at southern beach
(Photo by author) 43
3.1 ustadz Fadlan’s assistants treating male patients
(Photo by author) 76
5.1 javanese ritual specialists making prayers at sedekah
laut event (Photo by author) 104
5.2 Santri performing selawatan at traditional festival
(Photo by author) 105
5.3 amien rais campaigning with pangkur jenggleng
performer (Photo by author) 110
6.1 teater Gadjah mada performer in Alang-Alang
(Photo by author) 122
This page has been left blank intentionally
series editors’ preface
modernity and islam in java
andrew strathern and pamela j. stewart
university of pittsburgh
timothy daniels’ appropriately named study takes its readers on an informative
journey across a wide spectrum of themes in contemporary yogyakarta. indonesia
as a whole is well-known in anthropological writings generally and often features
in political discussions as an example of how democracy, development and
islamic religion function together in an ethnically-diverse state. on another
front, the great and layered diversity of ritual practices that find their place in
the mosaic of history and custom in different parts of indonesia has also been
fruitfully explored by many scholars, including anthropologists, historians, and
linguists. dr. daniels’ monograph is therefore particularly timely and relevant,
since it combines discussion about politics, religion, state policies, and popular
customary practices.
scholars today generally agree that the term “modernity” requires a good deal
of unpacking. In particular it is recognized that there are many locally specific
and diverse manifestations of historical change that often get referred to in
these terms. amongst many other authors, dorothy Hodgson has explored this
theme in an edited collection on “Gendered Modernities” (Hodgson ed. 2001).
She distinguishes between Modernity (with a capital “M”) and modernity or
modernities (Hodgson 2001: 3). Modernity in the former sense, she writes, is a
project dating from the eighteenth century in europe, with a teleological agenda
for intended social improvements based on the spread of industrial capitalism
and cultural concepts of time and discipline going with it. “modernization” as a
scheme for development clearly belongs to this ideological formation of modernity.
and the project of modernization has deliberately been spread to many parts of
the world and has been adopted by governments as policy, often influenced by
international organizations and institutions such as the international monetary
Fund. On the other hand, “modernity” as a term (with a lower-case “m”) refers
to the whole complex of locally particular activities, partly informed by the
ideology of improvement, but partly influenced by local traditions, perceptions
and situations. It is this complex of modernity, in a society influenced also by
the idea of modernity, that dr. daniels has undertaken to analyze in the present
monograph. The more specific a “modernity” becomes, the more it corresponds to
what we ourselves have called the “contemporary” (strathern and stewart 2004: