Red and White Porridge in the Suro Ceremony: Symbolism and Muslim Communal Integration in Martoba Village, North Siantar
Abstract
Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this study is to identify the symbolic meaning of the bubur merah putih tradition in the Suro ceremony and to analyze its contribution to the integration of Muslims in Martoba Village.
Design/methods/approach – This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach, using data collection techniques such as observation, interviews, and documentation. Findings – The findings reveal that the bubur merah putih tradition contains profound symbolic values. The red color symbolizes spirit, courage, and struggle, while the white color represents purity, sincerity, and heartfelt devotion. These symbolic meanings strengthen values of brotherhood, solidarity, and togetherness among community members. Furthermore, the implementation of this tradition fosters social harmony through collective participation in every stage of the ceremony. Conclusion – The bubur merah putih tradition in the Suro ceremony is not only culturally and religiously significant but also holds a social function in strengthening the integration of Muslims in Martoba Village. Research Implications – This research provides insights into the role of local traditions in maintaining social cohesion and religious harmony. It emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural rituals as a medium for fostering integration, unity, and mutual respect in plural communities.
References
Abbas, Mardhiah, Nurliana Damanik, and Nurmi Nurmi. “Fenomena Fashion Syar’I Sebagai Trend Budaya Menurut Akidah Islam (Studi Analisa Di Unimed Pada Fakultas Seni Dan Budaya).” Al-Hikmah: Jurnal Theosofi Dan Peradaban Islam 2, no. 2 (2020). https://doi.org/10.51900/alhikmah.v2i2.8812.
Abdul Fattah Nasution. Metode Penelitian Kualitatif. Bandung: Cv. Harfa Creative, 2023.
Ariska, Dina Novi. “Internalisasi Kebudayaan Dalam Tradisi Tolak Balak Melalui Bubur Sengkolo Di Dusun Bangilan Kabupaten Malang,” 2024.
Auliyah, Dhiyaul, and Arief Sudrajat. “Bubur Merah Putih Sebagai Simbol Pemberian Nama Anak Dalam Perspektif Sosiologi Budaya Jurgen Habermas.” SOSIOHUMANIORA: Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Sosial Dan Humaniora Jurnal. Vol. 8, 2022.
Ba’ai, Nazirah Mohamad, Hanif Khairi, and Asliza bt Aris. “Investigating the Malay Traditional Jewellery: A Complementary Element in Malay Women’s Costumes in Malaysia.” International Journal of Global Optimization and Its Application 2, no. 3 (2023): 154–64. https://doi.org/10.56225/ijgoia.v2i3.258.
Bahiyah, Umamatul, and Septi Gumiandari. Metode Penelitian. General and Specific Research. Vol. 4, 2024. https://adisampublisher.org/index.php/edu/article/view/744/784.
Dora, Nuriza, Sukma Wardani, Tiwi Rohani, and Windi Amelia Harahap. “Tradisi Brokohan: Nilai-Nilai Dan Makna Pada Suku Jawa.” Jurnal Riset, Pendidikan Dan Ilmu Sosial 3, no. 1 (2025): 30–36.
Fahrudi, Emi, and Jauharotina Alfadhilah. “Makna Simbolik ‘Bulan Suro’ Kenduri Dan Selamatan Dalam Tradisi Islam Jawa.” ASWALALITA (Journal Of Dakwah Manajemant) 1, no. 2 (2022): 185–95.
Fiantika, Feny Rita, and Anita Maharani. Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. Padang Sumatera Barat: PT. GLOBAL EKSEKUTIF TEKNOLOGI, 2022.
Hartanto, Ajeng Febya Anindita, Yeni Wijayanti, and Egi Nurholis. “Nilai-Nilai Filosofis Tradisi Among-Among Desa Purwadadi Kabupaten Ciamis.” J-KIP (Jurnal Keguruan Dan Ilmu Pendidikan) 3, no. 1 (2022): 143. https://doi.org/10.25157/j-kip.v3i1.6673.
Hasan, Nor, and Edi Susanto. Relasi Agama Dan Tradisi Lokal (Studi Fenomenologis Tradisi Dhammong Di Madura). Akad Media Publishing, 2021.
Hasan, Rozzaqul. “Agama Dalam Pandangan Antropolog: Perspektif Sosial-Budaya.” TAJDID: Jurnal Pemikiran Keislaman Dan Kemanusiaan 9, no. 1 (2025): 185–99. https://doi.org/10.52266/tadjid.v9i1.4315.
Indrahti, Sri. “Kearifan Makna Kuliner Sedekah Laut Di Jepara Sebagai Peluang Pengembangan Unit Usaha.” ANUVA 7, no. 3 (2023): 495–500.
Insani, Nur, Sumiyati B., Suud Sarim Karimullah, Yavuz Gönan, and Sulastri Sulastri. “Islamic Law and Local Wisdom: Exploring Legal Scientific Potential in Integrating Local Cultural Values.” Kanun Jurnal Ilmu Hukum 26, no. 1 (2024): 101–24. https://doi.org/10.24815/kanun.v26i1.32930.
Kurniawan, Siroy. “Komunikasi Ritual Suroan Pada Masyarakat Suku Jawa Di Kota Bengkulu.” Jurnal Ilmiah Syi’ar 19, no. 2 (2019): 138. https://doi.org/10.29300/syr.v19i2.2467.
Ma’ruf, M. Imam, Mardhiah Abbas, and Ismet Sari. “Tradisi Suroan Masyrakat Jawa Desa Sidoharjo-1 Pasar Miring Kecamatan Pagar Merbau Kabupaten Deli Erdag Ditinjau Dari Aqidah Islam.” Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pengadian Masyrakat 1, no. 1 (2021): 153–65.
Mujiati, Nanik. “Transformasi Tradisi Lokal Ke Tradisi Islam: Studi Pada Masyarakat Jolotundo Dalam Perspektif Pemrosesan-Informasi.” Tesis, 2020, 1–170.
Nasution, Hasnah, Abrar M Dawud Faza, and Ainun Adilah Siregar. “PENGARUH MEDSOS TERHADAP RELIGIUSITAS MAHASISWA” 4, no. 1 (2019). https://doi.org/http://jurnal.uinsu.ac.id/index.php/ssr.
Nazira, Winda. “BUBUR ASYURA SEBAGAI TRADISI MASYARAKAT DI KECAMATAN INDRAPURI KABUPATEN ACEH BESAR.” Banda Aceh, 2023.
Oktasari, Sisca, Jufri Naldo, and M. Nasihudin Ali. “Tradisi Puasa Weton Pada Masyarakat Suku Jawa Di Desa Bakaran Batu, Kec. Lubuk Pakam Deli Serdang.” Aksiologi : Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Ilmu Sosial, 2024, 7–20. https://doi.org/10.47134/aksiologi.v5i1.207.
Putra, Zulfikar, and H.Farid Wajdi. “Buku Ajar Pendidikan Pancasila Dan Kewanegaraan Panduan Kuliah Di Perguruan Tinggi.” Malang: Ahlimedia Press, 2021.
Rahayu, Puji. “Tradisi-Tradisi Islam Nusantara Perspektif Filsafat Dan Ilmu Pengetahuan.” Semarang: Forum Muda Cendekia (Formaci), 2019.
Rahman, Ahmad Fikri Ab, and Zamri Mahamod. “Implementation of Selected Theories for the Research of <I>Pantun</I> in Malay Language Education.” Creative Education 13, no. 03 (2022): 717–30. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2022.133045.
Sahid, Toto Ahmad. “The Tradition of Salat Hadiyah and Tahlilan in Gunungmanik Village : A Legacy of Prayers for Ancestors Tradisi Salat Hadiyah Dan Tahlilan Di Desa Gunungmanik : Warisan Doa Bagi Leluhur.” Jurnal Studi Sosial Keagamaan Syekh Nurjati 5, no. May (2025).
Sarmini, Aminkun Imam Rafii, and Agung Dwi Bahtiar El Rizaq. METODE PENELITIAN KUALITATIF. jejak pustaka, 2021.
Saumantri, Theguh. “Integrasi Teori Sosiologi Analisis Studi Islam:Sebuah Pendekatan Interdisipliner.” Jurnal Kajian Islam Interdisipliner 9, no. 2 (2024): 127–56. https://ejournal.uin-suka.ac.id/pasca/jkii/article/view/1388.
Sholikhin, Muhammad. Misteri Bulan Suro Perspektif Islam Jawa. Jakarta: Penerbit Narasi, 2010.
Syahria Anggita Sakti, Suwardi Endraswara, Arif Rohman. “Integrating Local Cultural Values into Early Childhood Education to Promote Character Building.” International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research 23, no. 7 (2024): 84–101. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.23.7.5.
Wardah, Deda Aenul. “Building Religious Moderation through Strengthening Mawaddah - Based Social Cohesion in Cigugur District , Kuningan Regency Membangun Moderasi Beragama Melalui Penguatan Kohesi Sosial Berbasis Mawaddah Di Kecamatan Cigugur , Kabupaten Kuningan.” Jurnal Studi Sosial Keagamaan Syekh Nurjati 4 (2024).
Copyright (c) 2025 Siti Mawaddah, Hasnah Nasution

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.






