This dissertation aims at analyzing the Dike Situek contest
among religious authorities in Aceh. The dispute does not only
occur within the Dayah, but also between ulamas (Islamic
preachers) of dayah and the societies. The study utilizes
anthropological approach to examine what lies behind the Dike
Situek ritual ban phenomenon. Data were collected through
interview, documentation and observation. The dissertation in
particular carried out further analysis on the presence of Abu
Dayah who used all his knowledge and relation with the sovereigns
when constructing the authority in East Aceh and restricting Dike
Situek.
The study discovers that the disagreement among religious
authorities on banning Dike Situek ritual in Aceh is not merely a
matter of religious affair, yet theological and political interests
involve in the dispute. Three issues appear in this restriction. The
first issue concerns theological matter. Dike situk is believed to be
a forbidden salik buta teaching in Aceh for the dike situk elders
used to learn from Abu Peulekung in Nagan Raya despite the
absence of a claim that Abu Peulekung’s teaching is perverted.
Second, the flourishing Dike Situk does not originally grow and
develop from dayah ritual, which implies that it is alumni of dayah,
in particular Dayah Abu Paya Pasi, and of non-dayah or non-Abu
Paya pasi that compete. Besides, a long history has made Dike
Situk Ritual a religious culture that live and grow with the people
of Aceh. Third is about Abu Paya Pasi Authority’s resistance. It is
said that the existence of Dike Situk Ritual in the eastern coast of
Aceh hampers Abu Paya Pasi religious authority’s efforts to spread
their teaching, education, and social and culture to the inhabitants.
As seen in their actions, Abu Paya Pasi recommended and gave
approval to the candidate for Genchik Gampong (Chief of Village)
and Tuha Peut (Board of Gampong) hoping that they would be
their extra hands later on. Abu Paya Pasi holds Muzakarah Ulama
and merely discusses Dike Situk Ritual.
The dissertation gives theoretical contribution to the theory
of religious authority contest. Current facts show that political
interests go beyond those of religion. The notion of religious
theology is intentionally involved to legitimate political interests