Dialectics of Islam and Javanese culture in the calculation of Saresmi in Ismu Gama: A 19th century primbon text

Abstract

This research discusses the discourse of cultural ambiguity, especially in the construction of the calculation of saresmi or intimate relationships between husband and wife from the perspective of Islamic and Javanese culture in the Ismu Gama text. This primbon-type text briefly explains the count of days and dates for carrying out daily activities in the Javanese concept, but focuses more on saresmi activities. This research will focus on how the awareness in craving for a child who is passed down will be born both from the physical aspect and its fate. Secondly, how the dialectics of Islamic and Javanese normativity in determining the calculation of good and bad days in saresmi are suspected in the discourse of cultural ambiguity according to Thomas Bauer. This research uses the philological method to reveal the content of the text and the literature review approach to identify the cultural ambiguities that occur in the text. The results of this study generally show that Javanese people use the calculation of saresmi as a form of endeavor and caution in expecting offspring. From an Islamic perspective, this does not eliminate the virtue nor does it bring futility because it uses the principle of common good which is an element of legal theory.