Dialog
Vol 49 No 1 (2026): Dialog

Converging Faith, Culture, and Nature: Tourism as a Pathway to Togetherness in Multi-Ethnic Lasem, Indonesia

Giyoto Giyoto (UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta)
Muh. Yahya (UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta)
Elen Inderasari (UIN Raden Mas Said Surakarta)
Siti Noor Fazelah Mohd Noor (Tun Hussein Onn University of Malaysia)
Khoirul Adi Nur Alfisyahri (Wonogiri Sehat Klinik, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Jun 2026

Abstract

Promoting social togetherness through educational institutions in diverse societies often encounters heightened sensitivity and resistance due to differences in religion, belief, culture, environment, and language, compared to approaches rooted in public activities such as tourism. In Indonesia, many tourism attractions originated as places of worship located in culturally significant areas, where local belief systems shape social and cultural practices. This study investigates how values of togetherness are practically manifested at the intersection of belief, nature, and sociocultural patterns in a tourism industry of Rembang, Indonesia. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation involving tourism practitioners, visitors, site caretakers, and local government officials. Triangulation was employed to ensure data saturation, and analysis was conducted ethnographically using Spradley’s domain analysis. The findings reveal that the convergence of religious beliefs, sociocultural activities, and natural attractions fosters social cohesion among individuals from diverse backgrounds. This intersection not only sustains mutual understanding and appreciation of differences but also contributes to social harmony in Lasem, Rembang, enabling respectful interaction within a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-racial community.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

dialog

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Social Sciences

Description

DIALOG (p-ISSN: 0126-396x, e-ISSN: 2715-6230) is a periodical scientific journal which managed by Secretary of The Research and Development & Educational Training Agency - Ministry of Religious Affairs. This journal first published in 1976. But then, it was officially changed in to an electronic ...