Malimo Bagan: The Role of The Datu in Negotiating Islam and Local Mysticism Among the Fishing Community of Air Bangis
Salma Salma, Jarudin Jarudin, Ahmad Siddik, Ihsan Muhidin
Jurnal Studi Agama dan Masyarakat September 27, 2026 DOI: 10.23971/jsam.v22i2.10673 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Fishing community of Air Bangis, Pasaman, West Sumatra, including the datu and local fishermen |
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Key findings | The datu plays a pivotal role in negotiating between Islamic teachings and local mysticism, ensuring the malimo bagan tradition remains legitimate in this predominantly Muslim fishing community. The authors argue that the tradition's persistence reflects ongoing negotiation among Islam, local belief systems, and coastal realities rather than mere preservation of ancestral custom. |
Abstract
The fishing community of Air Bangis, Pasaman, West Sumatra, has long been known for its strong religious life. At the same time, local mystical beliefs continue to shape their religious and cultural practices, exemplified by the malimo bagan tradition, which is believed to boost fish catches. Although these fishermen utilize modern satellite-based technology to locate fish, some attribute suboptimal catches to kaboji. Against this backdrop, this study examined the ritual’s execution, the actors involved, and the symbolic significance of the various paraphernalia and practices associated with malimo bagan, employing an Islamic sociology approach to local tradition and culture. The study used a qualitative methodology, involving in-depth interviews and observation. The findings showed that the datu plays a pivotal role in negotiating the relationship between Islamic teachings and local mysticism, thereby ensuring the malimo bagan tradition retains legitimacy within this predominantly Muslim fishing community. These findings indicated that the persistence of the malimo bagan tradition is not merely an act of preserving ancestral custom; rather, it reflects an ongoing negotiation between Islamic teachings, local belief systems, and the lived realities of coastal communities. Thus, this study contributed to the understanding that religious practices among maritime communities do not contradict with Islam and local beliefs; instead, they can create a space for negotiation where both elements interact, adapt, and gain social legitimacy within coastal life.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on mysticism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualitative and Quantitative Features of Music Reported to Support Peak Mystical Experiences during Psychedelic Therapy Sessions Individuals with extensive experience administering psilocybin or psilocybin-containing... | 2017 | Survey and qualitative/quantitative analysis | n = 10 |
| Common Core Thesis and Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Mysticism in Chinese Buddhist Monks and Nuns Chinese Pure Land and Chan Buddhist monks and nuns | 2011 | Mixed-methods study | n = 139 |
| Do Drugs Have Religious Import? A 40-Year Retrospective | 2004 | Interview | |
| Narratives of the mystical among users of psychedelics Psychedelic drug users | 2021 | Qualitative study | n = 50 |
| Auras in mysticism and synaesthesia: a comparison. Synaesthetes who experience colors in response to human faces and figures | 2012 | Qualitative study | n = 4 |