Ritual ecology and biocultural diversity in the Jolenan tradition of Somongari, Java, Indonesia: An ethnobiological study of ritual flora and fauna

Abstract

Background: Indigenous ritual practices play an important role in maintaining biocultural diversity by embedding ecological knowledge within cultural and spiritual systems. However, many local traditions in Southeast Asia remain underrepresented in ethnobiological studies. This research examines the Jolenan tradition of the Javanese community in Somongari, Indonesia, as a form of ritualized utilization of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge.

Methods: Qualitative ethnographic methods were applied through participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation involving 18 informants. The study focused on identifying plant and animal resources used in ritual offerings (ubarampe) and interpreting their symbolic meanings.

Results: A total of 22 species from 15 families were documented in ritual offerings used in the Jolenan tradition. The findings show that biological resources were selected not only for practical purposes but also for symbolic values related to gratitude, protection, harmony, prosperity, and cosmological balance. Various plant species, agricultural products, and animal-derived materials represent the close relationship between humans, nature, and spirituality. The ritual also functions as a mechanism for transmitting indigenous knowledge and cultural values across generations.

Conclusions: The Jolenan tradition reflects a sophisticated system of ritual ecology in which biodiversity utilization is closely linked to cultural and spiritual values. This study highlights the importance of indigenous ritual practices in supporting biocultural conservation and preserving indigenous knowledge relevant to sustainability discourse.

Keywords: ethnobiology; indigenous knowledge; biodiversity; ritual tradition; jolenan