The persistence of settlement space of AKUR customary community in Cigugur, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

The Karuhan Urang Customary Community (Masyarakat Adat Karuhun Urang– AKUR) from Cigugur is one of the communities that still adhere to Sunda Wiwitan beliefs. This community has mutual respect for the religious views of others. At the Seren Taun ceremony, people from various religions attend and pray together in Paseban Tri Panca Tunggal as an effort to preserve the cultural heritage of the community’s ancestor. Other efforts to preserve their culture surfaced when a company wanted to acquire land for geothermal exploitation. Collectively, the community refused to release the area to ensure the preservation of their settlement concept. The research aims to reveal the underlying structure in the community settlement system as a manifestation of the community’s transcendental awareness. This article reveals the meaning of space by exploring the surface structure of form and function of community culture. Moreover, the paper assesses community awareness by interpreting deep structures. The findings show that the persistence of settlement space was inspired by the great respect of the community for their ancestors. Furthermore, the teachings of their ancestors are embedded in the community’s unconsciousness and govern their values of culture, nationality, and religion. As a result, strong tolerance manifests in a sense of universal brotherhood.

Genius Loci of Adat Karuhun Urang (AKUR) Cigugur Community’s Settlement

“…Situ Hyang (Figure 3) is a basin of land surrounded by trees, where there is three huts used for the opening of traditional ceremonies (I. Indratno et al, 2020). Situ Hyang is known as a water catchment area by the surrounding community due to the presence of rocks and trees.…”

“…Seren taun is an annual ritual of AKUR Community to respect and thank the God for their crops, consisting of a series of activities to pray together attended by members from various believes. Jinem has the meaning of fixed or clear (Indratno et al, 2020).…”

“…Cara-ciri manusia means the existence of basic elements in human life, such as love, the order in the family, manners, and culture, and human nature (I. Indratno et al, 2020). Cara-ciri bangsa has customs and cultures that need to be preserved by maintaining human differences, for example, appearance, customs, language, script, and culture.…”

“…Seren taun ceremonies are carried out in various places, from situ hyang to paseban tri panca tunggal. According to Dwi dan Widiastuti (2014); Royyani (2017); Indratno et al (2020) there are several main activities in the seren taun ceremony, namely damar sewu, pesta dadung, kidung spiritual, ngajayak, mesek pare, siraman balai kembang, seribu kentongan, kaulinan barudak lembur dance, and rampak gendang.…”

“…These things made the AKUR Community feel that they have been given a sentiment of resistance and persistence to continue the teachings of Prince Madrais (I. Indratno et al, 2020;Ismiandika & Indratno, n.d.;Komarudin, 2017;Qodim, 2017;Sabandiah & Wijaya, 2018).…”