Islamization of Local Traditions in Barus, Central Tapanuli
A Model of Cultural Integration and Purification of Islamic Faith
Keywords:
Islamization, Local Traditions, Barus, Islamic Creed, Cultural Da'wah
Abstract
The Islamization of local traditions in Barus, Central Tapanuli, is a significant event in the history of Islam's spread in the Indonesian archipelago. As a trading hub since the 7th century AD, Barus became a gateway for Muslim merchants and scholars from the Middle East, Persia, and Gujarat. This study aims to explain the process of Islamization through cultural adaptation and peaceful da'wah, emphasizing the purification of faith while preserving local traditions that align with the principles of tawhid (monotheism). The research employs a qualitative method with a historical and descriptive-analytical approach, examining historical sources, ancient manuscripts, and interviews with historians and religious leaders. The findings reveal that Islamization in Barus occurred peacefully and persuasively, transforming local traditions such as customary rituals, leadership systems, and social norms into Islamic values. This process not only strengthened the community's belief in tawhid but also led to the establishment of Islamic institutions and the emergence of scholars who played crucial roles in the development of Islam in the region.
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References
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Abdul Fattah Nasution. (2023). Qualitative Research Methods . CV. Harfa Creative.
Abdul Gani Jamora Nasution, Novita Sari Nasution, Rizka Rahman Tanjung, & Yunita Azhari. (2023). The First Regional Debate on the Arrival of Islam in Indonesia. ALFIHRIS: Journal of Educational Inspiration , 1 (1), 72–87. https://doi.org/10.59246/alfihris.v1i1.108
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Ahmatnijar, Harahap, RB, & Kurniawan, P. (2025). The Kenduri Laut Tradition of the Barus Coastal Community: Penetration of Sufi-Islamic Values and Modernity from an Islamic Legal Perspective. Indonesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences , 6 (1), 171–174. https://doi.org/10.33367/ijhass.v6i1.7042
Al Wekhian, J. (2015). Acculturation Process of Arab-Muslim Immigrants in the United States. Asian Culture and History , 8 (1), 89. https://doi.org/10.5539/ach.v8n1p89
Ambo, Z. (2023). Islamization in the Bira Kingdom in the 17th Century AD. MUSHAF JOURNAL: Journal of Quranic and Hadith Studies , 3 (2), 2809–3712. https://mushafjournal.com/index.php/mj/article/view/169
Bahiyah, U., & Gumiandari, S. (2024). Research Methods. In General and Specific Research (Vol. 4, Issue 2). https://adisampublisher.org/index.php/edu/article/view/744/784
Barus, E.A., & Mawaddah, S. (2025). History of Arabic-Malay Writing: Cultural Heritage and Islamic Identity in the Indonesian Archipelago. Socius: Journal of Social Sciences Research , 2 (June), 10–13. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15715947
Farwati, E., Panjaitan, B.N., Al, S., & Langkat, M. (2025). Islamic Civilization in Sumatra: History, Progress, and Cultural Dynamics. Academic Campus Publishing Nusantara Scientific Journal (JINU) , 2 (4), 1047–1054. https://doi.org/10.61722/jinu.v2i4.6028
Fatonah, R., Irma, I., Maulana, MZ, & Yasin, M. (2024). Public Relations and Local Culture in Social Interactions in Society. Journal of Education & Social Sciences (Sinova) , 2 (01), 41–50. https://doi.org/10.71382/sinova.v2i01.65
Febriani, A., & Fitriani, F. (2024). Dynamics of the Spread of Islam in Indonesia: A Historical Study and Annisa Cultural Approach. Lentera Journal , 23 (3), 535–548
Jenuri, Zainuddin, Z., Mutholib, A., Ramdhani, R., & Octafiona, E. (2024). Social Dynamics of Muslim Communities: A Case Study of the Interaction between Religion and Local Culture in Indonesia: Collaborative Journal of Science , 7 (5), 1777–1787. https://doi.org/10.56338/jks.v7i5.5358
Lastri Khasanah. (2022). Acculturation of Religion and Local Culture. AT-THARIQ: Journal of Islamic and Cultural Studies , 2 (02), 37–49. https://doi.org/10.57210/1w5ymw87
Mardia, & Sari Febriani, MH (2025). Early History of the Development of Islam in Indonesia. The International Journal of Pegon: Islam Nusantara Civilization , 14 (1). https://doi.org/10.51925/inc.v14i01.125
Maulidya, K., & Iqbal, M. (2024). Transformation of Islamic Education in the Culture of the Barus Old Town Community (Before and After the Arrival of Islam in Barus). Sagoe Literasi: Journal of Educational Research , 1 (1), 63–74.
Mayang, N., Sirait, K., Nugroho, D., & Nurmawan, RH (2024). The Archipelago Before the Arrival of Islam and the Early Entry of Islam into Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Multidisciplinary Scientific Studies (IJOMSS) , 2 (5), 29–34. https://doi.org/10.33151/ijomss.v2i5.284
Mekonnen, H., Bires, Z., & Berhanu, K. (2022). Practices and challenges of cultural heritage conservation in historical and religious heritage sites: evidence from North Shoa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Heritage Science , 10 (1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-022-00802-6
Nasution, H., Harahap, S., & Sukriah, E. (2022). Elements of Local Wisdom in the Legend of "Malin Kundang." Studia Sosia Religia , 5 (1), 22. https://doi.org/10.51900/ssr.v5i1.12026
Nasution, NL, Daulay, M., Piliang, A., Fauziah, D., & Pasaribu, WSB (2024). The Relationship between Religion and Local Culture in the Phenomenology of Religion. Tambusai Journal of Education , 8 (1), 6694–6700. https://doi.org/10.31004/jptam.v8i1.13432
Nujula, F. (2025). Historical Dynamics of the Spread of Islam in the Archipelago: A Study of Theory, Paths, and the Role of Figures. Al-Zayn: Journal of Social Sciences & Law , 3 (3), 2757–2764. https://doi.org/10.61104/alz.v3i3.1736
Panca Putera, R., & Amri, M. (2025). Sundanese Culture in the Framework of Islam: Anthropological Analysis of the Acculturation Process. Journal of Education and Social Humanities , 3 (February), 239–251. https://doi.org/10.59581/jipsoshum-widyakarya.v3i1.4735
Putri, SA, Ummama, N., Simamora, MN, Lovita, R., Islam, U., Sultan, N., Kasim, S., Bung, U., & Padang, H. (2025). Exploring High-Plank Tombs as Signs. Tsaqifa Nusantara , 04 (01), 63–85. https://doi.org/10.24014/tsaqifa.v4i1.36480
Rohman, Suparjo, & Abdul Basit. (2021). Social and Religious Research Methodology: Philosophical, Theoretical, and Practical Approaches . Scientific Insight.
Roza, E., Luthfi, AR, Nirmala, DR, & Hasibuan, DN (2025). High-Plank Tombs: A Socio-Religious Symbol of Islam: A Historical Study of the Barus Community, Central Tapanuli, North Sumatra. AL MIKRAJ Journal of Islamic Studies and Humanities , 5 (2), 1824–1835. https://doi.org/10.37680/almikraj.v5i2.7259
Sarmini, Rafii, AI, & Rizaq, ADB El. (2021). Qualitative Research Methods . bibliography.
Sukkar, AW, Fareed, MW, Yahia, MW, Abdalla, SB, Ibrahim, I., & Senjab, KAK (2024). Analytical Evaluation of Midjourney Architectural Virtual Lab: Defining Major Current Limits in AI-Generated Representations of Islamic Architectural Heritage. Buildings , 14 (3). https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030786
Sukkar, A.W., Fareed, M.W., Yahia, M.W., Mushtaha, E., & de Giosa, S.L. (2024). Artificial Intelligence Islamic Architecture (AIIA): What Is Islamic Architecture in the Age of Artificial Intelligence? Buildings , 14 (3). https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030781
Supriadin, I., & Pababari, M. (2024). Dialectics and the Process of Inculturation of Religion and Local Culture in Indonesia. Al-Qalam: Journal of Islamic Studies and Education , 16 (2), 226–235. https://doi.org/10.47435/al-qalam.v16i2.3330
Tan, YY, & Sianipar, RP (2023). The Role of Parents: Introduction to God from an Early Age Based on Deuteronomy 6:4-7. The Way: Journal of Theology and Education , 9 (2), 124–139. https://doi.org/10.54793/teologi-dan-kependidikan.v9i2.118
Ulya, I. (2022). Islamization of Nusantara society: The historicity of early Islam (7th - 15th centuries AD) and the role of the Wali Songo in the Nusantara. Historiography , 2 (3), 442. https://doi.org/10.17977/um081v2i32022p442-452
Published
2025-10-20
How to Cite
Sitanggang, Wahida, and Maraimbang Maraimbang. FiTUA: Jurnal Studi Islam 6, no. 2 (October 20, 2025): 188-199. Accessed October 24, 2025. http://ejournal.stitbima.ac.id/index.php/fitua/article/view/1126.
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Articles
Copyright (c) 2025 Wahida Sitanggang, Maraimbang Maraimbang
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