The symbolic representation of blessing in kiai-santri interactions (An ethnographic study at Darussalam Behji Islamic Boarding School, Surabaya)
Abstract
The phenomenon of ngalap berkah (seeking blessings) is a distinctive and culturally significant practice within Indonesian Muslim communities, particularly in Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), yet remains underexplored in academic discourse. This study aims to examine the representation of symbolic blessings in the interactions between kiai (Islamic scholars) and santri (students) at Pondok Pesantren Darussalam Behji, Pakal, Surabaya. Utilizing a qualitative approach with a communication ethnography method, this research explores the symbolic meanings embedded in the daily practices of the santri, such as sowan (visiting the kiai), arranging the kiai’s sandals, and cleaning areas used by the kiai. The analysis is grounded in Herbert Blumer’s symbolic interactionism theory, which aligns well with pesantren contexts, where meaning is constructed through recurring symbolic interactions. The findings reveal that santri interpret blessings as spiritual values, with interactions with the kiai regarded as sources of these blessings manifesting in daily life with both social and cultural implications. These are symbolically represented through rituals such as sowan (visiting the kiai), traditional gestures of respect, and specific objects associated with blessings (e.g., kiai’s sandals). The interaction between kiai and santri reflects not only an educational relationship but also embodies deeply rooted religious and cultural values within the social structure of the pesantren. The tradition of ngalap berkah serves as a symbolic medium that binds spirituality, reverence, and exemplary conduct in the daily life of santri. This study underscores the applicability of symbolic interactionism in analyzing pesantren cultural dynamics and contributes to broader discourses on symbolic communication in religious settings.
References
Fajarudin, A. A. (2024). Pesantren: a Potrait of Education and Islamic Social History. Journal of Islamic Education Research, 5(2), 91–108. https://doi.org/10.35719/JIER.V5I2.406
Fauzi, A. (2017). Persepsi Barakah di Pondok Pesantren Zainul Hasan Genggong: Studi Interaksionalisme Simbolik. Al-Tahrir: Jurnal Pemikiran Islam, 17(1), 105–132. https://doi.org/10.21154/ALTAHRIR.V17I1.848
Hafidz, M. (2021). The Role of Pesantren in Guarding the Islamic Moderation. INFERENSI: Jurnal Penelitian Sosial Keagamaan, 15(1), 117–140. https://doi.org/10.18326/INFSL3.V15I1.117-140
Ihwan Huda Al, M. (2023). Dynamics of Islamic Boarding School Family Communication in Determining Political Affiliation. Journal of Language, Communication, and Tourism, 1(2), 10–17. https://doi.org/10.25047/JLCT.V1I2.3969
Muhdi, A., & Halim, F. (2023). The Role of Pesantren and Its Literacy Culture in Strengthening Moderate Islam in Indonesia. Edukasia Islamika, 8(2), 205–226. https://doi.org/10.28918/JEI.V8I2.1729
Nashihin, M. I., Kashif Majeed, M., Derysmono, D., Armadi, A., & Syukur, A. (2025). The Role of Pesantren Culture in Developing Academic Character: A Study on the Positive Impact of the Cultural Environment at Pesantren Luhur Sabilussalam. Mimbar Agama Budaya, 42(01). https://doi.org/10.22219/PROGRESIVA.V12I01.27896
Pernandi, I. (2018). Studi Kajian Interaksionisme Simbolik Pondok Pesantren Misbahulkhoir Bojong Purwakarta. MENDIDIK: Jurnal Kajian Pendidikan Dan Pengajaran, 4(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.30653/003.201841.36
Risnawati, R., Syukur Ibrahim, A., & Saryono, D. (2021). Berbahasa Fatis Dalam Interaksi Sosial di Pesantren (Kajian Etnografi Komunikasi). Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, Dan Pengembangan, 6(2), 172–184. https://doi.org/10.17977/JPTPP.V6I2.14433
Riva’i, A. K. (2020). INTERAKSI SIMBOLIK USTADZ-SANTRI (STUDI FENOMENOLOGI PADA PONDOK PESANTREN DAR EL HIKMAH PEKANBARU). Ensiklopedia of Journal, 2(4), 60–71. https://doi.org/10.33559/EOJ.V2I4.507
Rofiq, Ach. (2018). “Sowan” dan Penguatan Pendidikan Karakter Pesantren Berkelanjutan. Ta’allum: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 6(2), 241–258. https://doi.org/10.21274/TAALUM.2018.6.2.241-258
Saepullah, U. (2021). Cultural Communications of Islamic Boarding Schools in Indonesia. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 13(3), 2188–2202. https://doi.org/10.35445/ALISHLAH.V13I3.1154
Sarkowi, S., Aisyah, S., & Qosim, R. A. (2025). Symbolic Interaction of Kyai and Santri in The Perspective of Ethical Leadership Based on Religious Values. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research of Higher Education (IJMURHICA), 8(3), 388–402. https://doi.org/10.24036/IJMURHICA.V8I3.292
Syarif, Z., & Gaffar, A. (2019). Enhancing the Students’ Spirituality Through Ngambri Barokah (Expecting A Blessing) of Kyai in Darul Ulum Islamic Boarding School of Banyuanyar Pamekasan. https://doi.org/10.4108/EAI.8-12-2018.2283963
Syihabuddin, M., Manggala, K., Wafi, H. A., & Maulana, A. H. (2023). Interpreting the Concept of Ngalap Berkah as Pesantren Tradition in the Perspective of Santri. Santri: Journal of Pesantren and Fiqh Sosial, 4(2), 117–130. https://doi.org/10.35878/SANTRI.V4I2.957
Utami, N. W. (2018). Komunikasi Interpersonal Kyai dan Santri dalam Pesantren Modern di Tasikmalaya, Sebuah Pendekatan Interactional View. Jurnal Komunikasi, 12(2), 141–152. https://doi.org/10.20885/KOMUNIKASI.VOL12.ISS2.ART4
Authors
Copyright (c) 2025 Muchammad Ain Abdul Aziz
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.