<![CDATA[The Grebeg Sadranan cultural festival reflects a blend of Javanese and Islamic cultures and embodies many noble values, both in its history of acculturation and in its present practice. Little research, however, has examined how this acculturation developed and how well the community understands the religious values embedded in the festival. This study therefore aims to examine the acculturation process between religious rituals and Javanese culture and to analyze community understanding of these religious values in Cepogo District, Boyolali Regency, Central Java. The study used a qualitative method with a descriptive approach. Data were collected through observation, interviews, questionnaires, and documentation, and were analyzed through data collection, reduction, presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results show that the acculturation of Grebeg Sadranan is rooted in Javanese beliefs originally framed by Hindu-Buddhist rituals and integrated with the Islamic teachings of the Wali Sanga. Questionnaire responses supported this interconnection, with 93%–100% agreement. Most of the community also understood the meaning of the festival (89%–100%), and the implementation of its values ranged from 86% to 100%. The festival is therefore a form of acculturation that integrates Islamic values into Javanese culture without erasing either identity, and it can sustain cultural preservation while keeping religious values intact. The findings are limited to the sampled villages and respondents in Cepogo District.]]>
