THE ARABIC CULTURE, LANGUAGE, AND PEOPLE IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF SUNDANESE COMMUNITY (CASE STUDY OF CIBIUK VILLAGE/DISTRICT COMMUNITY OF GARUT REGENCY)

Abstract

Purpose: This research is aimed to analyse the understanding of Sundanese people about Arabic culture, language, and people. The research was focused on Cibiuk Village/District, Garut Regency.
 Methodology: This district was chosen as it is one of the Islamic bases in West Java Province. In this research, the researchers employed a descriptive-analytics method.
 Main Findings: The results showed that the comprehension of the Sundanese people towards the Arabic culture, language, and people were elementary and only limited to Islam-related. Consequently, there was a mixed understanding of the three aspects. As a recommendation, certain efforts are necessary to improve their understanding of the Arabic culture, language, and people. Additionally, it was also discovered that the varied understanding could be observed from the aspects of historical distribution – which led to the indigenisation of Islam in Nusantara.
 Limitations/ Applications: This situation occurred after going through sociological, cultural, and theological stages. When the religion entered and spread in Java, it was not in space since the Javanese had established its values, norms, and traditions.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: The mixed understanding between elements of Arab and Islamic culture in Sundanese people can be observed from the historical aspects of the spread - which prompted the indigenisation of Islam in the archipelago. Owing to the elementary understanding of Arabic teachings in Sundanese people this study suggested that certain efforts are required to improve their understanding of the Arabic culture, language, and people.