The Tradition of Consecrating Rice in Pangandaran Sub-District

This research, entitled The Tradition of Consecrating Rice in Pangandaran Sub-district, is excerpted from my dissertation, System of Tools and Technologies for Environmental Conservation with Exocentrism Approach: the Case of Pangandaran Sub-district. Due to the complex nature of the research object, namely its complicated, dynamic and meaningful social situations, it uses qualitative method which, according to Sugiyono (2007:292), is the customary method to address unclear research object. The research aims to describe and understand the social behavior of the Pangandaran sub-district community in treating rice as their source of life starting from its planting, harvesting and, finally, consuming. Data are collected through (a) participatory observation, (b) interview, (d) library research and (d) triangulation. Participatory observation and interview are means to collect primary data from direct sources whereas library research and triangulation are to obtain secondary data from secondary sources and to obtain credible data, respectively. The research finds that (1) rice is believed to be the manifestation of Dewi Pohaci, thus, it has to be treated with full respect, (2) community members in Pangandaran belong to the society who respect their ancestors highly and are fully committed to practicing what have been taught by them, particularly, the tradition to cultivate, (3) rice consecrating ritual in Pangandaran is a part of Sundanese elders’ tradition that teaches to highly value rice as the main staple food and to conserve it accordingly.