Sosialisasi Tradisi Bacoho: Pembersihan Lahir Batin Pada Pelajar di Gorontalo

Abstract

This study aims to identify changes in the understanding of the Bacoho traditional ritual of spiritual and physical purification for the Gorontalo community before Ramadan  and to test the effectiveness of posters in raising cultural awareness. The benefits of this study are to provide a theoretical contribution to indigenous psychology studies and a practical solution to the preservation of local wisdom in the digital era. The research method used was descriptive qualitative, employing a field observation approach and community education intervention. The research sample was selected directly (purposive), involving local communities and young people in Gorontalo as key actors in cultural transmission. Observasi menunjukkan reduksi makna tradisi Bacoho pada generasi muda; ritual ini telah kehilangan makna spiritualnya dan telah menjadi sekadar aktivitas kebersihan fisik akibat modernisasi dan kepraktisan produk modern. However, after educational activities using poster media were carried out, the results showed a significant increase in understanding and interest, particularly among the younger generation. The research concludes that modernisation triggers the recontextualisation of local culture, but the creative and adaptive use of visual communication media effectively acts as a cognitive bridge to restore essential understanding of the spiritual identity of the region and strengthen the cultural resilience of the community.