Benda Kerep: Balancing Modernization and Cultural Preservation in Village Tourism

Benda Kerep tourist village in Cirebon, West Java, serves as a clear example of how modernization can coexist with traditional cultural preservation. A recent study by Lintang Puspa Ningrum and Taufik Abdullah from Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia reveals how the village negotiates technological change and tradition within the context of religious tourism.

The research focuses on two main questions: how traditions and ancestral beliefs influence the community’s attitude toward modernization, and how technological change and cultural preservation are negotiated through social structures and power relations. The qualitative study involved 22 in-depth interviews, observations, and the collection of relevant historical documents.

The findings show that the people of Benda Kerep accept modernization, particularly technology, but with clear limits to ensure cultural values are not lost. Tradition preservation is carried out through various cultural events that actively and sustainably involve the entire community.

This success demonstrates that Benda Kerep is a model tourist village that integrates technological advancement with cultural heritage preservation, maintaining cultural identity while enhancing the appeal of religious tourism.

Author: Devara Raffi Kanahaya