THE SPIRITUAL VALUES IN REOG PONOROGO: FROM A SUFISM PERSPECTIVE IN PANTAI LABU DISTRICT, DELI SERDANG REGENCY
Zalika Dwi Ayunda, Hasyimsyah Nasution
Rausyan Fikr May 22, 2026 DOI: 10.24239/rsy.v22i1.5216 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Reog Ponorogo performances and practitioners in Pantai Labu District, Deli Serdang Regency |
| Key findings | Spirituality in Reog Ponorogo has shifted from mysticism to ethical-religious consciousness, with dhikr before performances as living Sufism and the Warok as a symbol of moral authority and self-control, aligning with tawhid and religious moderation. |
Abstract
The spirituality embedded in the Reog Ponorogo performance in Pantai Labu District, Deli Serdang Regency, has undergone a reconstruction of meaning within the context of Islamic Sufism. This study aims to identify forms of spiritual expression, explain the process of value internalization, and analyze the transformation of symbolic meanings in contemporary Reog practices. The research employed a qualitative method with a phenomenological-interpretative approach through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation studies. The analysis was based on Sufism theory, particularly the concepts of ihsan, dhikr, and self-control as the foundation of spiritual praxis. The findings reveal that spirituality in Reog has shifted from a mystical orientation toward an ethical-religious consciousness reflected in practices of prayer, discipline, and social relations. The practice of dhikr before performances represents a form of living Sufism embedded in local culture, while the figure of the Warok is interpreted as a symbol of moral authority and self-control. These findings affirm the reinterpretation of sacredness in harmony with the principles of tawhid and religious moderation.