A Preliminary Study on Factors That Lead Muslim Kedayan to Continue Performing the Syncretic Culture
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International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, Vol. 4, No. 6, November 2014 A Preliminary Study on Factors That Lead Muslim Kedayan to Continue Performing the Syncretic Culture Ros Aiza Mohd Mokhtar and Che Zarrina Sa‟ari denote the phenomenon of how different Cretan tribes Abstract—Syncretism is a controversial terminology that became unified when faced with external threats to their invites discussion of whether the term should be retained or survival [2]. The concept of syncretism was widely practiced banned. Agreeing with the views of scholars who aim this during Greek paganism where religion, philosophy, culture terminology to be remained in the repertory, authors will and beliefs were established by merging the elements among discuss syncretism between Islam and local culture of Kedayan people in Sabah, Malaysia. This paper will focus on the factors themselves, particularly in the second century AD during that influence the intention of these people to perform their Hellenistic [3]. Syncretism in that era involved alliance of the local culture that is associated with syncretism. The gods in various forms such as parallelism, amalgam and questionnaire consists of 70 variables were distributed to 40 eclipse [4]. respondents. The result of study revealed that Kedayan people Religious situation in Rome was also diverse, complex and have high tendency to continue their local culture which is not syncretistic [5]. Among the high expression of the Roman included in the teaching of their official religion, Islam. Moreover, there is a statistical significant difference between syncretism was the marriage of Roman god, Mercury with the individual attitude towards the local culture and their level the Celtic goddess, Rosmerta which implied sharing religion of education. In addition, the results revealed high correlation between Roman and Celtic [6]. Syncretism of the modern era between attitudes towards behavior, subjective norms and began in the day of Englightment particulary by Denis perceived behavioral control with their intention to continue Diderot (1713-1784) who wrote Eclecticism and syncretiste, performing their local culture. henotiques ou concillateurs. In his article he depicted Index Terms—Kedayan, local culture, Islam, syncretism. syncretism as parallelism in a variety of sources [7]. Earlier, in the 17th century, George Calisen Calixtus attempted a rapprochement with Protestant and Catholic denominations I. INTRODUCTION [8]. Syncretism later employed negatively to refer to a contamination of one religion by another [9]. Robert Baird is This paper will begin with a brief explanation on the among the scholars who wanted to remove the terminology concept of syncretism and scholars‟ views on it either from the study of religious history. He argued by explaining positively or negatively. Definitely, this term has a very wide something as syncretistic in religious history is like not meaning and develops many forms such as fusion between explaining something [10]. gods or goddess, fusion between two or more religions, Inculturation terminology later was suggested to replace fusion between religion and philosophy etc. Thus, this paper syncretism which would bring a more positive connotation will discuss the syncretism between the official religion of a [11]. Some prefer using hybridity rather than syncretism [12] particular community named Kedayan with their local culture. [13], whereas some put demarcation between syncretism and In order to explore the reasons why Kedayan people are anti-syncretism [14]. Some scholars also suggest steps with a interested in continuing performing their local culture which new definition to syncretism because of theology, culture and has always been associated with syncretism, several missionary interest [15]. Martin viewed the understanding of questions have to be answered. Therefore a set questionnaire syncretism as a neutral description of religious phenomena as was constructed, distributed and analyzed as will be the current academic alternative to its comparative practice. discussed in the content. [16]. There are more positive definitions offered such as by Colpe (1987). Colpe explained that “syncretistic religions” as “the high points of syncretic processes” [17]. Michael Pye in II. SYNCRETISM his later work discusses the difference between syncretism Syncretism is derived from the Greek word synkretizein, and synthesis, and then summed syncretism as “the which means to link, combine and consolidate [1]. The term conclusion to a process is thereby completed” [18]. Thus, it is was first introduced by the Greek moralist and biographer not surprised nowadays that syncretism is a phenomenon that Plutarch (16-120 AD) who reputed the term „syncretism‟ to is no more or less pejorative in nature, as there was a study that reveled Jewish teenagers as more syncretic compared to others and most of them believe that there is no problem if Manuscript received July 20, 2013; revised October 27, 2013. This work one practice syncretism [19]. is supported by Malaysia Ministry of Higher Education under PhD scholarship and the University of Malaya under Postgraduate Research Grant Authors personally view that this terminology should be PG028-2012B. A Preliminary Study on Factors that Lead Muslim Kedayan maintained even if it brings a negative connotation. At the to Continue Performing the Syncretic Culture. same time, agree with the statement of syncretism is a process. The authors are with the Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya, Jln Pantai Baru, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (e-mail: Therefore, it is important concept for discussion in religious [email protected], [email protected]). context, in order to evaluate the doctrines and practices of a DOI: 10.7763/IJSSH.2014.V4.391 421 International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, Vol. 4, No. 6, November 2014 particular religion. However, in this limited discussion, the levels and individual attitudes towards their syncretic authors only manage to explore the process of syncretism by practices. looking at factors that lead people to continue their traditional 2) There is a correlation between attitudes, subjective practices prior to embracing a particular religion. The norms and perceived behavioral control with the selected people in this study are called Kedayan who intentions of this community to perform their syncretic embrace Islam. Specifically, category of syncretism tradition. discussed here is syncretism between Islam and local culture. VI. METHODOLOGY III. KEDAYAN This paper discusses parts of findings of the authors‟ Sipitang was selected as a location for this study because it research regarding syncretism among Kedayan people. For is in the heartland of the Kedayan in Sabah, Malaysia [20]. In the purpose of this paper, the survey method using summary, Kedayan has been defined in Dewan Dictionary, as questionnaires is employed as an instrument. The instrument 'escort' or 'slave' [21]. It is associated with the life of the is a self-constructed questionnaire based on the theory of community as an escort king in the feudal era. The word Planned Behavior by Ajzen, Icek. According to the theory, “Kedayan” is supposed to be derived from the Malay word we should be able to predict the performance of a behavior Kodi (meaning a score). The followers of any great native from intentions to performing the behavior and from prince were known as Kodi-an [22]. There are ten different behavioral control. Intention, in turn should be predictable spellings of the word which so far have been spelled from attitude towards the behavior, subjective norms and „Kedayan‟ from different sources. Among them are Kadaian, perceived behavioral control [34]. Guided by this theory, the Kadian [23]. Kedayan ethnic originated from Java whom researcher constructs a set of questionnaire consisting of 5 brought by Sultan Bolkiah (Fifth Sultan of Brunei). The early parts which are respondent demography, attitudes towards history of their coming to Brunei associated with behavior, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and cockfighting event between Java Prince and Sultan of Brunei. behavioral intentions. Therefore, the word “Kedayan” initially refers to a job as an As a pilot study, questionnaires were distributed to 40 escort to the king. When their numbers increased, they began respondents. A total of 32 (80%) respondents returned the to form Kedayan ethnic [24]. questionnaires. Reliability tests were carried out to test the As part of Sarawak and Sabah formerly under the rule of internal consistency of the respective scales. The scales for Brunei, Kedayan the ethnic also inhabited Sarawak and all variables are very reliable as all Cronbach's Alpha value Sabah. The population of Kedayan in Borneo would be in the exceeds 0.9. region of around 240,000 [25]. Kedayan people who live as The data was statistically analyzed using Statistical farmers adopt certain paddy cultivation to ensure getting a Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). To ensure good crop [26], [27]. In addition to planting rice, they also corresponding analysis are done, normality test using Shapiro catch fish where certain rituals were practiced [28], [29]. The Wilk was carried out. The values for all variables are below famous celebration for Kedayan people is the annual festival 0.05. Therefore, Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman Rank (Makan Tahun), which they held as soon as the harvest is Correlation tests were carried out to test the hypothesis completed [30], [33]. Among