Harmony in Sundanese culture : an analytical study with special focus from Qur`anic and Biblical perspectives

Abstract

The concept of harmony has existed and has been a valued aspect of Sundanese culture throughout history, even before Islam and Christianity came to Parahyangan (Sundanese lands). Various aspects of peace, such as non-violence, tolerance and forgiveness, are evident, even though only informally, and have been passed on from generation to generation within families and the wider community. Unfortunately, there have been major changes to Sundanese society in recent times and the importance of harmony within the culture has begun to decrease. This is especially evident amongst the younger generation and in major urban areas. Through this research, the researcher attempts to investigate two aspects related to harmony within Sundanese communities. First, to regain an understanding of peace or harmony, do Sundanese people return to a purely Sundanese understanding of harmony, or to an Islamic or Biblical understanding? This is important because, at this time, the vast majority of Sundanese people come from one of these two backgrounds, Muslim to the larger extent and Christian to the lesser extent? Second, the researcher examines whether the harmony that exists within Sundanese communities is in accord with that described in the Qur’ān and the Bible. The data for this study were gathered primarily through participant observation and unstructured and semi-structured interviews. The secondary resources of this study are based on library research. These secondary resources are used to observe the concept of harmony from three sources: Sundanese culture, Qur’ānic and Biblical perspectives. As a result of this research, the researcher has discovered important findings which can be explained as follows. First, the Sundanese embraced the concept of harmony long ago; a fact which can be clearly shown through Sundanese principles, proverbs, and history. Second, the concept of peace in Sundanese culture is directly related to the following values of love, togetherness, non-violence, submission to God, respect for elders, tolerance, greetings, respect of customs, preservation of nature, and the considering of community as one huge family. Third, the Sundanese have a manuscript, named Sanghyang Sisakandang Karesian, which had been used as a handbook to achieve harmonious life. Fourth, folklore, in the form of legends, folktales, and wayang (puppetry), is also a source of the concept of harmony in Sundanese culture. The fifth finding is that there are some communities amongst the Sundanese presently living in harmony, although the people in these communities hold different religious beliefs (Islam and Christianity). The researcher is of the opinion that conducting this research is important for three significant reasons. First, to the best of the researcher’s knowledge, this area of research has not been conducted by any other researcher. Second, this research is important so as to protect the Sundanese identity, which values harmony, from the effects of post-modernism in the current era. Finally, this research contributes to the field of peace programs in comparative religions.