The Ritual of Slawatan and Neo-Sufism

Abstract

This work examines the transformation of the ritual of Slawatan from its traditional Sufi practice to a Neo-Sufism and performance. It details how the rise of religious leaders such as Habib Sheikh helps in motivating people looking for different experiences in this form of Neo-Sufism practice in urban life in Indonesia. The work adopts participant observation and ritual theory to look at the processes, actions and actors in the performance.