Acculturation of Islamic Values in Local Wisdom in the Ter-Ater Tradition in Madura, Indonesia

Islam as rahmatan lil ‘alamin carries a message of goodness that is universal, open, and inclusive. Its presence allows for harmonious acculturation between Islamic values and local culture. One concrete manifestation of this process is the Ter-Ater tradition in Madura, Indonesia, which is the activity of distributing food to neighbors and relatives in the context of thanksgiving or commemoration of holidays. This tradition contains the values of friendship, almsgiving, as well as prayers for safety and blessings, which are in line with Islamic teachings. This study aims to analyze the content of Islamic values in the practice of Ter-Ater and to analyze the symbiotic relationship between Islamic teachings and local culture. Using a descriptive qualitative approach with ethnographic methods, data in the form of interview results and figures were obtained through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, and then analyzed with a cultural hermeneutic approach. The results show that the Ter-Ater tradition not only maintains traditional elements, but also enriches its meaning with Islamic values. Local symbols are given a spiritual interpretation without losing their original identity. This tradition is clear evidence that Islam is not here to erase culture, but to build it into a more meaningful one. Thus, Islamic cultural da’wah through traditions such as Ter-Ater is able to strengthen social cohesion, expand the meaning of Islam, and realize the values of love, brotherhood, and common good in Indonesian society

Acculturation · Buddhism · Ethnography · Indonesian · Islam · Cultural and Artistic Studies · Cultural and Religious Practices in Indonesia · Islamic Studies and Radicalism