Preserving Cultural Heritage and Social Cohesion

The Tukuder Festival at Jami Al-Muttaqin Mosque in Kaliwungu, Kendal, Central Java, Indonesia, is a vibrant example of living Islamic heritage that reinforces cultural identity, religious continuity, and community resilience. Held annually to welcome the holy month of Ramadan, the festival integrates ritual practices, traditional foodways, and intergenerational participation rooted in the values of Islam Nusantara. This study investigates how the festival transmits intangible cultural heritage, particularly through the symbolic meanings of traditional dishes such as Telur Mimi, Sumpil, and Momoh. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through participatory observation and in-depth interviews with local vendors, religious leaders, government officials, and cultural practitioners, as well as document analysis. Findings reveal that the Tukuder Festival strengthens social cohesion that fosters communal bonds. The culinary elements, deeply embedded in local religious symbolism, reflect values of purity, solidarity, and gratitude. In addition, the active role of local government demonstrates how institutional collaboration contributes to the continuity and revitalization of community-based traditions. The Tukuder Festival exemplifies how localized Islamic traditions can be maintained and revitalized as living heritage in response to changing social and cultural dynamics

Citizen journalism · Cohesion (chemistry · Cultural heritage · Government (linguistics · Intangible cultural heritage · Islam · Local government · Participant observation · Cultural and Artistic Studies · Cultural and Religious Practices in Indonesia · Halal products and consumer behavior