DINAMIKA INTERAKSI SOSIAL MASYARAKAT TERHADAP PRAKTIK PERDUKUNAN DI ACEH BARAT

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the forms and dynamics of social interaction between communities and practitioners of traditional healing (perdukunan) in Aceh Barat, with the assumption that such interactions persist not merely due to belief, but through ongoing social negotiation and adaptation. This research employs a qualitative descriptive approach, involving purposively selected informants from two villages in Aceh Barat who have direct or indirect experience with the practice. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns of meaning and interaction. The findings reveal two main patterns of interaction: normalized everyday interactions and situational-functional interactions, where traditional practitioners are engaged selectively in response to unmet medical or existential needs. The study also finds that symbolic reframing, moral categorization, and implicit social tolerance play significant roles in maintaining the practice within socially acceptable boundaries. These results suggest that the persistence of such practices is shaped by pragmatic considerations and adaptive meaning-making rather than simple resistance to modernity. The implications highlight the need for more context-sensitive approaches in policy and public health interventions that consider socio-cultural dynamics rather than relying solely on normative frameworks. Future research is recommended to incorporate broader actor perspectives and comparative settings. This article includes 7 references and does not contain tables or figures