Reinterpreting the Mappasikarawa Tradition in Bugis Marriage Through a Social Interpretation of Qur'an Surah An-Nisa' (4):19

Abstract

The Mappasikarawa tradition is one of the ritual sequences in Bugis traditional weddings that is rich in symbolic meaning and social values. This tradition is not only understood as a cultural practice, but also as a representation of husband-wife relations, the concept of honor (siri’), and social legitimacy within the institution of marriage. However, in the contemporary social context, the Mappasikarawa tradition requires reinterpretation in order to remain relevant to the values of justice and relational ethics in Islam. This article aims to reinterpret the Mappasikarawa tradition through a social exegesis approach by using QS An-Nisa’ [4]:19 as a Qur’anic ethical framework. This study employs a qualitative method with a literature review approach and contextual tafsir analysis. The findings indicate that Mappasikarawa can be understood as a cultural practice that contains the potential value of mu‘āsyarah bi al-ma‘rūf, yet it also embodies interpretive tensions that necessitate reinterpretation to align with principles of justice and respect for women. This study emphasizes the importance of dialogue between local traditions and Qur’anic values in constructing a civilized and ethical marital framework.