Portrait of Religious Expression in Cultivating Communal Harmony: A Case Study of Kayen Kidul District, Kediri, Indonesia

Abstract

The portrait of religious life within the pluralistic society of Kayen Kidul Subdistrict, particularly in Jambu Village, Sumberejo Hamlet, Kediri Regency, serves as the focus of this study. The community, consisting of adherents of Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, and Hinduism, coexists to foster harmonization in religious practices. This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques including observation, interviews, and documentation complemented by audiovisual materials. The research subjects were determined through purposive sampling, selecting participants based on criteria from each religious group. The analysis utilizes Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of habitus as a framework to understand the phenomenon of harmonization amid the diversity of Sumberejo Hamlet. The findings reveal that social cohesion is shaped through the community’s habitus, reflected in collective participation in social activities and involvement in interfaith religious practices. Tolerance, supported by social, economic, cultural, and symbolic capital, enables the emergence of local cultural richness and diversity. This study contributes significantly to understanding how habitus shapes interfaith interactions and illustrates the mechanisms through which social cohesion and mutual respect are maintained in a pluralistic rural community, while simultaneously preserving the distinct cultural and religious identities of each group.