Peran Punden Sebagai Warisan Leluhur Dalam Kehidupan Sosial Dan Budaya Masyarakat Desa Sukorejo Parengan Tuban

Abstract

This study aims to explore the history of the Mbah Benowo Hermitage Shrine, widely known by the local community as Punden Gradangan, located in Sukorejo Village, Parengan District, Tuban Regency. The research focuses on examining the symbolic meaning, socio-cultural functions, and preservation challenges of the site amid the development of modern society. This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach, with data collected through field observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The informants included the shrine caretaker, religious figures, and local community members. The findings reveal that the Mbah Benowo Hermitage Shrine is not merely regarded as a historical relic in the form of a meditation stone, but also serves as a symbol of the cultural identity of the Sukorejo community with its own historical significance. The existence of the shrine functions as a social space that strengthens social relations among residents through traditions, rituals, and local arts. On the other hand, the strong influence of modernization and differences in religious perspectives have become challenges in preserving the site. Nevertheless, the community continues to maintain social harmony through tolerance and the strengthening of cultural resilience based on traditional arts that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Keywords: shrine, Mbah Benowo, social cohesion, cultural heritage, Sukorejo Village.