Peran Adat dan Pensakralan Mata Air Terhadap Konservasi Air di Lereng Ciremai

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Traditional Role and Spring Sacredness For Water Conservation in the slope of Mount
Ciremai. Kuningan Regency proclaimed as conservation regency. Consequently the way of
life in this regency should follow non-pollutant producing or non-environmental damaging
activities. This regency is intended to perform organic agriculture and water tourism (falls,
lakes, and springs) destination. For those purposes, Kuningan Regency should maximize the
potency of natural catching and reserving rainfall area to be used efficiently thereafter.
Kuningan Regency is surrounded by five DAS derived from the slope of Mount Ciremai. At
least there are three sacred springs in Kuningan Regency including Balong Dalem, Balong
Cibulan, and Sumur Tujuh. All of them are located in Jalaksana District. Balong Dalem and
Sumur Tujuh are the centre of traditional ritual called kawin cai or mapag cai. The ritual implying
awareness of the society human life depend on water supply sustainability. Comparative
analysis between sacred and non-sacred springs indicated that the sacred springs are better
and more conserved condition than that in non-sacred spring (Balong Darmaloka). However,
there were still unique and threatened animals in sacred springs. Therefore, traditional roles
and spring sacredness in Kuningan are still needed for spring conservation. Unfortunately,
many of governmental activities exhibited unawareness of local government to the spring
conservation which it should become their responsibility.
Key words: Traditional ritual, water conservation, Ciremai, Kuningan Regency