The Meaning of Living Harmony with Komodo Dragons in the Perspective of the Indigenous People of Ata Modo: A Phenomenological Study

Authors

  • Arif Hidayat 1Study Program of Communication Science, Faculty of Law and Business, Duta Bangsa University, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8120-0134
  • Muh Arfah Hospital Administration Study Program, Faculty of Health, Science, and Psychology, Sunan Gresik University, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4188-0360
  • Nety Susanti Teachers of Pondokcina 1 Elementary School, Depok, Indonesia
  • Halimah Nurlatifah Study Program of Islamic Economics, Faculty of Economics and Islamic Business, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, Indonesia
  • Dikiwahyudi Sipirunaung Study Program of Qur'anic Science and Tafsir, Faculty of Ushuluddin, PTIQ University Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Della Monica Study Program of Islamic Education, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Muhammadiyah Metro University, Indonesia
  • Muhammad Jeffry Parsi Study Program of Islamic Education, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training Sciences, UIN Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi, Indonesia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25077/jantro.v27.n2.p151-161.2025

Abstract

This research aims to explore the meaning of harmonious living with Komodo dragons from the perspective of the Ata Modo indigenous community in Rinca Island, East Nusa Tenggara. Komodo dragons are not only protected endangered animals, but also creatures that are culturally integrated into the spiritual and cosmological values of the local community. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, this study explores the lived experiences, oral narratives, and values contained in the interaction between humans and Komodo dragons. The results show that the harmony of living with Komodo dragons is understood as a form of spiritual sustainability, ecological balance, and an expression of respect for ancestors and nature. These findings enrich the intercultural perspective in cultural ecology studies and provide a reflective basis for community-based conservation policy development. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with traditional leaders, senior citizens and local conservationists. References were obtained from relevant national and international literature. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding conservation not only ecologically but also through cultural and phenomenological dimensions.

Author Biographies

Arif Hidayat, 1Study Program of Communication Science, Faculty of Law and Business, Duta Bangsa University, Indonesia

Study Program of Communication Science, Faculty of Technology and Information

Halimah Nurlatifah, Study Program of Islamic Economics, Faculty of Economics and Islamic Business, UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, Indonesia

Study Program of Islamic Economics, Faculty of Economics and Islamic Business

Dikiwahyudi Sipirunaung, Study Program of Qur'anic Science and Tafsir, Faculty of Ushuluddin, PTIQ University Jakarta, Indonesia

Study Program of Qur'anic Science and Tafsir, Faculty of Ushuluddin

Della Monica, Study Program of Islamic Education, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Muhammadiyah Metro University, Indonesia

Study Program of Islamic Education, Faculty of Islamic Studies

Muhammad Jeffry Parsi, Study Program of Islamic Education, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training Sciences, UIN Sjech M. Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi, Indonesia.

Study Program of Islamic Education, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training Sciences

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Published

2025-11-12

How to Cite

Hidayat, A., Arfah, M., Susanti, N., Nurlatifah, H., Sipirunaung, D., Monica, D., & Jeffry Parsi, M. (2025). The Meaning of Living Harmony with Komodo Dragons in the Perspective of the Indigenous People of Ata Modo: A Phenomenological Study. Jurnal Antropologi: Isu-Isu Sosial Budaya, 27(2), 151–161. https://doi.org/10.25077/jantro.v27.n2.p151-161.2025

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 2 (2025): December

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Arif Hidayat, Muh Arfah, Nety Susanti, Halimah Nurlatifah, Dikiwahyudi Sipirunaung, Della Monica, Muhammad Jeffry Parsi

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