Eco-Mysticism as a Basis for Water Conservation in Sendang Tawun Ngawi
Abstract
Water conservation amid the climate crisis requires a holistic approach based on eco-mysticism that integrates ecological knowledge with cultural and spiritual values. This study examines the role of local eco-mysticism as a basis for water conservation at Sendang Tawun, Ngawi. The research focuses on ritual practices and local beliefs of the Tawun community in preserving water sources. The aim is to understand the relationship between mystical rituals, customary prohibitions, and environmental conservation efforts. The method employed is qualitative research with a case study approach through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation. Data were obtained from traditional leaders, local communities, officials, vendors, and visitors. The findings show that local eco-mysticism is manifested through the Keduk Beji ritual and prohibitions against taking turtles, fish, and plants from the spring area. These beliefs are grounded in ancestral reverence, faith in spiritual guardians, and fear of misfortune. Such practices have proven effective in sustaining water sources, preserving traditions, and promoting tourism-based economies. Thus, eco-mysticism can serve as a model of culturally rooted water conservation.
Downloads
References
Achmad, Sofyan Maulana, Mikhael Putra Kartodiprojo, M. Pramudya Firmansyah, M. Wildan Habibi, Fakhri Fadli Rahman, Ulita Bella Anggraeni, Adhisty Dhea Apriliani, Lubna Rahman, Aditya Dwi Sugiarto, and Christo Sumurung Tua Sagala. “Edukasi Dan Mitigasi Bencana Yang Optimal Melalui ‘Pos Iklim’ Desa Pakis Kabupaten Jember.” AJAD : Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat 4, no. 2 (August 2024): 454–63. https://doi.org/10.59431/ajad.v4i2.365.
Armitage, Derek, Philile Mbatha, Ella‐Kari Muhl, Wayne Rice, and Merle Sowman. “Governance Principles for Community‐centered Conservation in The Post‐2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.” Conservation Science and Practice 2, no. 2 (February 2020): e160. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.160.
Bere, Aprilia Fransiska Issa, Remigius Binsasi, and Willem Amu Blegur. “Pengelolaan Sumber Mata Air Berbasis Kearifan Lokal Di Kabupaten Malaka.” Jurnal Biologi Indonesia 19, no. 2 (2023): 134–44. https://doi.org/10.47349/jbi/19022023/135.
Fatem, Sepus M., San Afri Awang, Ahmad Maryudi, Satyawan Pudyatmoko, and Jonni Marwa. “Model Kelembagaan Lokal Kabupaten Konservasi Tambrauw Di Papua Barat.” Jurnal Ilmu Kehutanan 14, no. 2 (November 2020): 167. https://doi.org/10.22146/jik.61401.
Fitriani, I. N., F. N. Dwiyantik, M. P. L. Rahayu, and I. U. Hasanah. “Sejarah ‘Sumber Keduk Beji Di Ngawi,.’” J. Sastra, Bahasa, Dan Budaya 1, no. 1 (2022): 15–22.
Gain, Animesh K., Sarwar Hossain, David Benson, Giuliano Di Baldassarre, Carlo Giupponi, and Nazmul Huq. “Social-Ecological System Approaches for Water Resources Management.” International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 28, no. 2 (February 2021): 109–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2020.1780647.
Humaida, Nida, and Murniningsih. Dasar-Dasar Pengetahuan Lingkungan Berbasis Perubahan Iklim Global. Banjarmasin: UrbanGreen Central Media, 2024.
Intan Wahyuningtyas Andin, Muhammad Danda Evantrino, and Romadona Putri Pertiwi. “Eksistensi Penegakan Hukum Lingkungan Dalam Mewujudkan Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Dan Pembangunan Berkelanjutan Di Indonesia.” Jurnal Hukum, Politik, Dan Ilmu Sosial 3, no. 3 (June 2024): 294–308. https://doi.org/10.55606/jhpis.v3i3.3919.
Martha, Claudia. “Bulus Tawun Spesies Langka Asal Ngawi.” Kompasiana, February 24, 2022. https://www.kompasiana.com/claudia07329/6216fece3179491835307594/spesies-langka-asal-ngawi-bulus-tawun.
Masha, Mamush, Teshome Yirgu, Mulugeta Debele, and Mengie Belayneh. “Effectiveness of Community-Based Soil and Water Conservation in Improving Soil Property in Damota Area, Southern Ethiopia.” Applied and Environmental Soil Science 2021 (April 2021): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5510587.
Mo, Yalin, Junyu Zhao, and Thomas Li-Ping Tang. “Religious Beliefs Inspire Sustainable HOPE (Help Ourselves Protect the Environment): Culture, Religion, Dogma, and Liturgy—The Matthew Effect in Religious Social Responsibility.” Journal of Business Ethics 184, no. 3 (May 2023): 665–85. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-022-05131-z.
Mulyanti, Dewi. “Kearifan Lokal Masyarakat Terhadap Sumber Mata Air Sebagai Upaya Konservasi Dan Pengelolaan Sumber Daya Lingkungan.” Bina Hukum Lingkungan 6, no. 3 (June 2022): 410–24. https://doi.org/10.24970/bhl.v6i3.286.
Pemdes Tawun. Sejarah Desa Tawun. 2016. https://tawun.desa.id/artikel/2016/8/26/sejarah-desa.
Pratama, Frengki Nur Fariya. “Ngebel Dan Isu Krisis Ekologis: Pelestarian Lingkungan Melalui Pendekatan Ekologi-Mistik Dalam Narasi Serat Centhini.” Ansoruna: Journal of Islam and Youth Movement 1, no. 1 (2022): 73–88.
Salari, Azam, Mahdi Zeinali, and Mousa Marzband. “Model-Free Reinforcement Learning-Based Energy Management for Plug-in Electric Vehicles in A Cooperative Multi-Agent Home Microgrid with Consideration of Travel Behavior.” Energy 288 (February 2024): 129725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2023.129725.
Sedyowati, Laksni, Sari Yuniarti, and Sufiyanto Sufiyanto. “Is Local Wisdom Able to Build Sustainable Communities in Informal Flood-Prone Settlements? Evidence from Glintung Kampong, Malang City, Indonesia.” Local Wisdom: Jurnal Ilmiah Kajian Kearifan Lokal 15, no. 1 (2023): 41–52.
“SIDITA | Pemandian Tawun.” Accessed October 13, 2025. https://sidita.disbudpar.jatimprov.go.id/destinasi/detail/0d437800dd77a1f988efd2e7edf57ef1433c21e222df4b3a95b64e409e6b3eac78a6f7b1559b0fe3f4a000a91787ef89d11418b87549fcb47577363753dbdcca-2.
Tella, Taleat Adewale, Ben Festus, Temitope Daud Olaoluwa, and Abiodun Sinmiat Oladapo. “Water and Wastewater Treatment in Developed and Developing Countries: Present Experience and Future Plans.” In Smart Nanomaterials for Environmental Applications, 351–85. Elsevier, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-21794-4.00030-2.
Tomalin, Emma. “Religion, Ecology and Hindu Nationalism in India.” Religion and Development 2, no. 3 (March 2024): 463–82. https://doi.org/10.30965/27507955-20230032.
Utami, Ami Sukma, and Hiroki Oue. “Traditional Value and Its Function in Managing Modern Irrigation System in West Sumatra Indonesia.” Sustainable Water Resources Management 9, no. 2 (April 2023): 54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-023-00830-5.
Yin, Robert K. Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Vol. 5. Sage, 2009.





