IMPLEMENTASI TRADISI MERTI DESA DALAM MEMBENTUK KERUKUNAN MASYARAKAT DESA KEMRANGGEN KECAMATAN BRUNO KABUPATEN PURWOREJO

ABSTRACT This study aims to explore the practice of Merti Desa tradition in Kemranggen Village, particularly in building community harmony. This field research was conducted with a qualitative descriptive method. The study was carried out in Kemranggen Village, Bruno District, Purworejo Re­gency, Central Java Province from January to March 2021. The informants of this research were the leaders and all parties involved and witnessed the events of Merti Desa activities in the village. Data was collected through observations, interviews and documentation. Data analysis was conducted through four stages, namely: data documen­tation, data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions/ verification. Study findings indicated that the entire series of Merti Desa activities in Kemranggen Village built the harmony of the community through partici­pation, cooperation and mutual assistance regardless of differences in religion, ethnicity, race, social strata and profession. Keywords: Cultural Practice, Merti Desa, Harmony     ABSTRAK Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menjelaskan praktik tradisi Merti Desa di Desa Kemranggen, khususnya dalam membangun kerukunan masyarakat. Penelitian lapangan ini dilakukan dengan metode deskriptif kualitatif. Penelitian dilaksanakan di Desa Kemranggen, Kecamatan Bruno, Kabupaten Purworejo, Provinsi Jawa Tengah pada bulan Januari sampai Maret 2021. Informan penelitian ini adalah para pimpinan dan semua pihak yang terlibat dan menyaksikan langsung peristiwa kegiatan Merti Desa di desa tersebut. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui obser­vasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi. Analisis data dilakukan melalui empat tahapan, yaitu: dokumentasi data, reduksi data, penyajian data, dan pena­rikan kesimpulan/verifikasi. Temuan studi menunjukkan bahwa seluruh rangkaian kegiatan Merti Desa di Desa Kemranggen membangun keru­kunan masyarakat melalui partisipasi, kerjasama dan gotong royong tanpa membedakan agama, suku, ras, strata sosial dan profesi.  Kata Kunci: Laku Budayai, Merti Desa, Kerukunan Umat.