The Nyadran Tradition from a Marxist Perspective: Resistance and the Cultural Philosophy of Javanese Muslim Society

Abstract

This research analyzes the Nyadran tradition within the Muslim community of Surakarta city, Central Java, as a manifestation of a philosophical worldview that combines Islamic and traditional Javanese values alongside its dynamics in confronting modernization. Using a literature review approach alongside axiological and hermeneutical frameworks, as well as the perspective of Karl Marx’s historical materialism, this research reveals the intricacies of acculturation and cultural resistance embedded within the tradition. The findings indicate that Nyadran is not merely a ritual, but an ethical and existential foundation that instills the values of harmony, mutual cooperation (gotong royong), endeavor (ikhtiar), sincerity (ikhlas), and surrender (pasrah). In the face of the pressure of individualism and modern consumerism, the people of Surakarta show adaptive resistance through the reinterpretation of meaning, the use of technology for preservation, value negotiation, and the resilience of hybrid identities. Changes in people’s attitudes and behaviors tend to be pragmatic and moderate. This shows cognitive and cultural resilience in balancing spirituality and the worldly. The study’s results confirm that philosophical values implemented as a view of life are a source of cultural resilience to modern hegemony.