An Analysis of Character-Building And Motivation Behind Coins-Sowing Tradition By The Sasak in Lombok Island, Indonesia

Abstract

The Sasak coins-sowing tradition in Lombok Island is part of newborn baby haircut activities. The newborn baby haircut tradition in Islam is called Aqiqah and, in the Sasak language, refers to Ngurisan. This tradition has been practiced for years and continues to this day. This research analyzes the Sasak community's motivation in performing the coins-sowing tradition and explores the character-building values internalized in the coins-sowing practice. The method applied in this research is qualitative, using an ethnographic approach. The research result indicates that the primary motivation for the coins-sowing tradition is a form of gratitude to God the Creator because they are blessed with offspring. In such practice,  the character-building values taught at an early age are hard work, sharing with others, and strengthening good relationships among the Sasak people. The combination of motivation and character-building values makes this coins-sowing tradition still practiced today. This research contributes to the sustainability tradition of the Sasak tribe in Lombok.