DIKE SITUEK DI ACEH: AGAMA, KONTESTASI OTORITAS DAN PERGESERAN KUASA

This dissertation aims at analyzing the Dike Situek contest among religious authorities in Aceh. The dispute does not only occur within the Dayah, but also between ulamas (Islamic preachers) of dayah and the societies. The study utilizes anthropological approach to examine what lies behind the Dike Situek ritual ban phenomenon. Data were collected through interview, documentation and observation. The dissertation in particular carried out further analysis on the presence of Abu Dayah who used all his knowledge and relation with the sovereigns when constructing the authority in East Aceh and restricting Dike Situek. The study discovers that the disagreement among religious authorities on banning Dike Situek ritual in Aceh is not merely a matter of religious affair, yet theological and political interests involve in the dispute. Three issues appear in this restriction. The first issue concerns theological matter. Dike situk is believed to be a forbidden salik buta teaching in Aceh for the dike situk elders used to learn from Abu Peulekung in Nagan Raya despite the absence of a claim that Abu Peulekung’s teaching is perverted. Second, the flourishing Dike Situk does not originally grow and develop from dayah ritual, which implies that it is alumni of dayah, in particular Dayah Abu Paya Pasi, and of non-dayah or non-Abu Paya pasi that compete. Besides, a long history has made Dike Situk Ritual a religious culture that live and grow with the people of Aceh. Third is about Abu Paya Pasi Authority’s resistance. It is said that the existence of Dike Situk Ritual in the eastern coast of Aceh hampers Abu Paya Pasi religious authority’s efforts to spread their teaching, education, and social and culture to the inhabitants. As seen in their actions, Abu Paya Pasi recommended and gave approval to the candidate for Genchik Gampong (Chief of Village) and Tuha Peut (Board of Gampong) hoping that they would be their extra hands later on. Abu Paya Pasi holds Muzakarah Ulama and merely discusses Dike Situk Ritual. The dissertation gives theoretical contribution to the theory of religious authority contest. Current facts show that political interests go beyond those of religion. The notion of religious theology is intentionally involved to legitimate political interests