Semar: A Personal Model for Counselors

Galang Surya Gumilang (University of Nusantara PGRI Kediri)
Mona Robinson (Ohio University)

Pamomong: Journal of Islamic Educational Counseling
Vol 3, No 2 (2022)

Semar is an Indonesian wayang figure, a servant to other wayang characters Pandawa. Semar's personality is shown as a good, wise and wise individual, so he is suitable to be used as a counselor's personality model. This qualitative study applied Gadamerian hermeneutics, an objective type of hermeneutic research. The primary data in this study were texts discussing Semar, namely “Apa dan Siapa Semar” by Sri Mulyono and “Semar Dunia Batin Orang Jawa” by Tuti Sumukti. The data were also collected through an interview with Indonesian wayang expert, Ki Manteb Sudarsono. This study found that Semar’s (1) advisor, (2) congruent, (3) honest, and (4) empathetic personalities could be used as a counselor’s personal model.