Kajian Etnobotani dalam Ritual Adat Suku Sasak di Kabupaten Lombok Utara, Nusa Tenggara Barat, dan Upaya Konservasinya

Sulistia Ningrum, Prof. Dr. Ratna Susandarini, M.Sc.

2025 | Tesis | S2 Biologi

Keanekaragaman hayati dan budaya merupakan elemen penting dalam mendukung keberlanjutan sumber daya alam. Setiap kelompok etnis memiliki pengetahuan dan praktik khas dalam memanfaatkan tumbuhan, termasuk dalam pelaksanaan ritual adat. Lombok Utara, yang terletak di Pulau Lombok, merupakan salah satu wilayah yang masih mempertahankan tradisi kuat dalam pemanfaatan sumber daya alam. Namun, pengetahuan ini belum banyak terdokumentasi dan berisiko hilang seiring berjalannya waktu. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi ragam ritual adat Suku Sasak di Lombok Utara, mendokumentasikan spesies tumbuhan yang digunakan, memahami nilai budaya serta makna simbolisnya, dan mengeksplorasi upaya pelestarian tumbuhan oleh masyarakat adat. Metode yang digunakan meliputi wawancara semi-terstruktur terhadap 33 informan dan observasi lapangan. Analisis dilakukan secara kualitatif dan kuantitatif menggunakan tiga indeks etnobotani: Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), dan Index of Cultural Significance (ICS). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya 25 jenis ritual adat yang melibatkan 56 spesies tumbuhan dari 31 famili, dengan famili dominan yaitu Arecaceae, Malvaceae, dan Zingiberaceae. Daun merupakan organ tumbuhan yang paling banyak dimanfaatkan, sedangkan habitus yang dominan adalah herba, dengan sumber utama berasal dari pekarangan. Areca catechu L. dan Piper betle L. memiliki nilai UV (3,06) dan RFC (0,94) tertinggi, sementara nilai ICS tertinggi (98) dimiliki oleh Curcuma longa L. Tumbuhan-tumbuhan tersebut memiliki makna simbolis sebagai sarana doa, perlindungan, serta harapan akan kebaikan, keselamatan, dan kesejahteraan. Upaya pelestarian dilakukan melalui penerapan aturan adat (awiq-awiq), serta budidaya di pekarangan, kebun, dan sawah.

Biodiversity and cultural heritage are essential elements in supporting the sustainability of natural resources. Each ethnic group holds unique knowledge and practices in utilizing plants, including their use in traditional rituals. North Lombok, located on the island of Lombok, is one of the regions that still maintains strong traditions in managing natural resources. However, much of this traditional knowledge remains undocumented and is at risk of disappearing over time. This study aims to identify the types of traditional rituals practiced by the Sasak people in North Lombok, document the plant species involved, understand their cultural values and symbolic meanings, and explore local efforts to conserve these plant resources. The research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 33 informants and field observations. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed using three ethnobotanical indices: Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), and Index of Cultural Significance (ICS). The findings revealed 25 types of traditional rituals involving 56 plant species from 31 families, with Arecaceae, Malvaceae, and Zingiberaceae being the most dominant. Leaves were the most commonly used plant parts, while herbs were the most frequently utilized growth form. Most plants were sourced from home gardens. Areca catechu L. and Piper betle L. had the highest UV (3.06) and RFC (0.94) values, while Curcuma longa L. had the highest ICS value (98). These ritual plants carry deep symbolic meanings, serving as media for prayers, protection, and expressions of hope for goodness, safety, and prosperity. Conservation efforts are supported by customary laws (awiq-awiq) and cultivation practices in home gardens, fields, and rice fields. 

Kata Kunci : Etnobotani, Keanekaragaman Tumbuhan, Ritual Adat, Nilai Budaya, Konservasi.