Maqashid Analysis of the Phenomenon of Sufi Dance Practices as an Effort to Build Holistic Health on Practitioner in Kartasura

Sufi dance functions as a form of therapy that builds holistic health through trance states, according to a qualitative anthropological study. The healing process occurs through three stages: bidayah (initiative), takhalli, tahalli, and tajalli. In Islamic culture, these dance practices represent efforts to implement maqasid sharia through self-care, termed Sufi healing. The practices stem from classical medicine frameworks rather than modern medicine, showing a close connection between medicine, magic, and religion. Sufi dance is believed to promote health in performers when they enter a trance state.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This study aims to describe and analyze the construction of holistic health in Sufi dance, which is considered a human effort to preserve the soul. Holistic health, in anthropology, is a social phenomenon associated with the terminology of illness. Anthropology observes various practices related to how society responds to illness and how to overcome it. Sufi dance is known as a model of healing modified from human-produced art. This study used in-depth interviews and observation as data collection techniques. Through a symbolic analysis typical of anthropology, it was concluded that Sufi dance can function as therapy to build holistic health. There is a close connection between medicine, magic, and religion. Sufi dance is believed to have a health-promoting effect on the performers when they are in a trance state. The Sufi healing process occurs through the stages of bidayah (initiative), namely takhalli, tahalli, and tajalli. In Islamic culture, Sufi dance practices are part of human efforts to implement the maqasid sharia through self-care, which they carry out in Sufi dance practices as Sufi healing. These practices resulted from cultural developments that did not originate from the framework of modern medicine but rather from the framework of classical medicine in the past.