This paper discusses how minority Muslims in Mentawai, especially
among the older generation, conduct cultural negotiations and
strategies carried out by Islamic preachers in locality traditions.
Practically, this paper contributes to models of cultural and Islamic
studies that are friendly to the value of locality. The research was
conducted with a qualitative approach. Data collection techniques were
performed in three ways: observation, literature/document studies, and
interviews—technical data analysis with technical analysts Miles and
Huberman. Arat Sabulungan, as a local belief for the indigenous
Mentawai, is an elementary value for the Mentawai community. The
historical-political factors of the New Order period, making
sociologically, consistency to religious beliefs were not smooth. In
addition, it is also caused by cultural negotiations that in Islam are more
"difficult" compared to non-Islamic religions. The practice of Arat
Sabulungan is a contributive variable causing difficulties in cultural
negotiations. During this time, the strategy used by Islamic preachers,
especially targeting the segment of the older generation and indigenous
people who firmly hold the values, is with a pattern of syncretic that is
sometimes "extreme". This pattern is considered more optimal in
maintaining the Mentawai Muslim entity in the older generation and the
indigenous elite.
Keyword: Syncretic;
Muslim Minority;
Arat Sabulungan;
Cultural View;