Fenomena Ziarah Wali Semangka: Studi Etnografis Masyarakat Banjar terhadap Penyandang Disabilitas

Abstract

A charismatic and pious figures are usually accorded with someone who has habits, ‘karomah’ or privileges. Similarly, Banjar community is referred to ‘wali’. While ulama can described through their scholarly works and solemn experiences, a ‘wali’ might be contradicted. The existence of ‘wali’ is considered of showing capability to do something beyond human reasons in general. People often encounter ‘wali’ with intention of asking for blessings (tabarruk) and prayers. When inconsistency thought unreasonable occured in personal words or actions of ‘wali’, then what if the inconsistencies are related to the physical 'imperfections' of a person? One of the exclusive phenomenon is the representation of ‘wali’ with physical disabilities. Because of the individual characteristics experienced, the label of 'wali semangka’ was given to her. This study aims to investigate the perceptions and embodiment of community local beliefs and pilgrims to ‘wali semangka’s home located in Muara Uya. This study used a qualitative method with an ethnography approach. Respondents were selected through snowball technique and data collection was collected by Miles and Haberman model. The result shows that till now the phenomenon of pilgrimage/ visiting ‘wali semangka’ has never been free of visitors. The existence of the pilgrimage is strongly based on cultural views such as the narrative traditional moral model about mysticism and the diversity of community motives that are closely known as ‘wasilah’/ intermediary of spiritual communication, sacredness and ‘da'wah’ tourism.