The “Selamatan Assîr ” Tradition As Local Wisdom In Career Meaning-Making: A Socio-Cultural Perspective On Gig Work Culture In The Contemporary Economy
Keywords:
Selamatan Assîr local wisdom gig economy career meaning work spiritualityAbstract
In the digital economy landscape characterized by flexibility, uncertainty, and the disruption of work meaning, the gig economy has generated a crisis of identity and spirituality among many modern workers. This study examines the Selamatan Assîr tradition in Situbondo, East Java, as a form of local wisdom offering an alternative framework for understanding career and life well-being. The purpose of this research is to explore the socio-spiritual meanings embedded in the Selamatan Assîr ritual and to analyze its relevance to the construction of career meaning within a contemporary work culture that tends toward individualism. Employing a qualitative approach with an ethnographic paradigm, this study utilizes in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and ritual documentation. A thematic-reflective analysis was applied to interpret the symbols, narratives, and lived experiences of participants concerning work, sustenance (rezeki), and blessing (barakah). The findings reveal that Selamatan Assîr functions as a value system integrating three primary dimensions: spiritual, social, and psychological. The spiritual dimension positions work as an act of worship and self-transcendence; the social dimension strengthens solidarity and communal ethics; while the psychological dimension serves as a collective coping mechanism against economic uncertainty. This tradition cultivates the awareness that career success is not solely measured by material achievement but by the balance between productivity, blessing, and humanity. In conclusion, Selamatan Assîr represents a career paradigm rooted in spirituality and collectivism, offering an alternative to Western career theories that are predominantly individualistic. Theoretically, this research enriches career construction theory through religio-cultural dimensions; practically, it contributes to the development of a local wisdom–based career counseling model relevant to the digital economy era.
References
Agus Riyadi, Hatta Abdul Malik, ‘, & Syarifah, A. N. (2022). The Concept Ki Ageng Suryomentaram’s. Jurnal Konseling Religi, 13(1), 115–140.
Allan, B. A., Rolniak, J. R., & Bouchard, L. (2020). Underemployment and Well-Being: Exploring the Dark Side of Meaningful Work. Journal of Career Development, 47(1), 111–125. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845318819861
Alvin, L. S., & .A. Athanasou, R. V. E. (2008). International Handbook of Career Guidance. Springe. Andi Mappiare. (2009). Dasar-dasar Metodologi Riset Kualitatif untuk Ilmu Sosial dan Profesi.
Jenggala Pustaka Utama.
Arifin, S. (2014a). Sang Pelopor: Kisah Tiga Kiai dalam Mengelola Bekas Bajingan. Pena Salsabila. Arifin, S. (2014b). Wejangan Kiai As’ad dan Kiai Fawaid. Pena Salsabila.
Arifin, S. (2019). Hidup Berkat dan Sehat: Kearifan Kiai Pesantren dalam Memperbaiki Kesehatan Jiwa Masyarakat dalam Kitab Al-Adzkar Al-Yaumiyyah. In S. Al Qutuby & I. Y. M. Lattu (Eds.), Tradisi dan Kebudayaan Nusantara (pp. 58–83). Lembaga Studi Sosial dan Agama (eLSA) Press.
Arifin, S. (2020a). At-Tawazun: Psikologi dan Konseling Berbasis Pesantren untuk Membentuk Karakter Khaira Ummah. Literasi Nusantara.
Arifin, S. (2020b). Pesantren -Based Counseling in Changing The Behaviour of The Community of Former Bajingan Being Personal Characterless “Pelopor.” UMRAN – International Journal of Islamic and Civilizational Studies, 07(03), 59–75. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.11113/umran2020.7n3.439
Arifin, S. (2025a). Blessings in Khidmah as the Entrepreneurial Ethic of Female Santri to Achieve Perfection and Meaning of Life. International Conference on Nusantara Philosophy: Philosophy of Well-Being: Revisiting the Idea of Sustainable Living and Development. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.29037/digitalpress.412476
Arifin, S. (2025b). HIKMAH HATI: Psikologi di Balik Wejangan Masyayikh Pesantren. Global Press.
Arifin, S. (2025c). Holistic Happiness : Integrating Happiness Based on Risalah Thariqah and the Authentic Happiness Theory. Esoterik, 11(1), 99–118. https://doi.org/10.21043/esoterik.v11i1.31276
Arifin, S. (2025d). Sembilan Teori dan Pendekatan Konseling: dari Klasik Sampai Kontemporer Serta Penerapannya. In Tanwirul Afkar. Tanwirul Afkar.
Arifin, S. (2024). Berkah dalam Berkhidmah sebagai Etos Kewirausahaan Santriwati dalam Meraih Kesempurnaan dan Kebermaknaan Hidup. Proceeding of International Conference on Engineering, Technology, and Social Sciences (ICONETOS) 2024, 4(1).
Arifin, S., & Fatah, Z. (2023). Da’Wah Assistance Based on Psychology and Digital Technology To Improve the Quality of Service for New Students With a …. Proceedings of Annual Conference on …, 241–258. https://doi.org/10.15642/acce.v3i
Arifin, S., & Munfaridah, H. (2018). Local Wisdom Development of Pesantren Based Counseling Design with Approach Service-Learning. International Conference On University-Community Enggagement October 8-10, 2018, 3(2), 816–832. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004
Arifin, S., & Zaini, A. (2019). Transformative Da’wah Through Counseling for the Career Development of Coffee Farmer Groups in the Tourism Village Banyuwangi. Jurnal Konseling Religi, 10(2), 215–231. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.21043/kr.v10i2.6480
Arifin, S., & Zaini, A. (2021). Social Wellbeing and Collective Happiness (Study of “ Sedekah Selamatan Sîr ” on Career Development ). The 3 Rd International Symposium on Religious Life (ISRL) 2020. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.2-11-2020.2305073
As’ad, A. F. (1990). Al-Adzkar Al-Yaumiyah,. Assyarif.
Bajwa, U., Gastaldo, D., Di Ruggiero, E., & Knorr, L. (2018). The health of workers in the global gig economy. Globalization and Health, 14. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-018-0444-8.
Banik, N., & Padalkar, M. (2021). The Spread of Gig Economy: Trends and Effects. Foresight and STI Governance, 15(1), 19–29. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.17323/2500-2597.2021.1.19.29
Barak, A. (2020). Fusing horizons in qualitative research: Gadamer and cultural resonances.
Qualitative Research in Psychology. https://doi.org/DOI: 10.1080/14780887.2020.1854403 Brooks, S. K., Webster, R. K., Smith, L. E., Woodland, L., Wessely, S., Greenberg, N., & Rubin, G.
J. (2020). Rapid Review The psychological impact of quarantine and how to reduce it : rapid
review of the evidence. The Lancet, 395(10227), 912–920. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30460-8
Chaer, M. T. (2014). Ngalap Barakah dan Karamah: Analisis Makna Ziarah di Makam Mbah Priok, Koja Jakarta Utara. Muaddib, 04(01), 45–71.
Creswell, J. W., & Hirose, M. (2019). Mixed methods and survey research in family medicine and community health. Family Medicine and Community Health, 7(2), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1136/fmch-2018-000086
Dolcos, F., Hohl, K., Hu, Y., & Dolcos, S. (2021). Religiosity and Resilience: Cognitive Reappraisal and Coping Self-Efficacy Mediate the Link between Religious Coping and Well-Being. Journal of Religion and Health, 60, 2892–2905. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01160-y.
Flanagan, J. ., & Lanagan, R. . (2004). Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories in Context and Practice: Skills, Strategies, and Techniques. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Frankl, V. E. (1988). The will to meaning: Foundations and applications of Logotherapy. Plume. Frankl, V. E. (2006). Man’s search for meaning. Beacon Press.
Hadi, S. (2013). Tarekat Kadiran pada Masyarakat Kadiara Timur Pragaan Sumenep: Sejarah, Keunikan, dan Makna Simboliknya. Nuansa, 10(1), 1–20.
Henriksen, C. E. J. (2015). Counseling Students’ Perceptions of Religious/Spiritual Counseling Training: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Counseling & Development, 93, 59–69.
Ibrahimy, A. A., & Arifin, S. (2018). Kiai Fawaid As’ad: Kepribadian, Pemikiran, dan Perilaku Politik. Tanwirul Afkar.
Ibrahimy, A. A., & Arifin, S. (2019). Risalah Hati: Trilogi Biografi Nyai Zainiyah As’ad. Tanwirul Afkar.
Isfandari, S., Siahaan, S., Wanggae, G., Widyasari, R., Kurniawan, A., & Aryastami, N. K. (2019). Dinamika Jender Terhadap Akses Pelayanan Kesehatan Maternal Sembilan Etnis di Indonesia. Buletin Penelitian Sistem Kesehatan, 22(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.22435/hsr.v22i1.652
Istiqomah, N., Muslihati, & Atmoko, A. (2017). Work Value dalam Serat Wedhatama dan Implikasinya terhadap Bimbingan Karier Berbasis Budaya Jawa. Jurnal Pendidikan, 2(6), 806–811.
Ivey, A.E. (2010). Intentional Interviewing and Counseling: Facilitating Client Development in a Multicultural Society. Brooks.
James, A. (2022). The Gig Economy: A Critical Introduction. Economic Geography, 97, 113–114.
Khalik, F. (2007). Rokat Bhuju’ Vis-À-Vis Kompolan (Metamorfosis Elit Madura Pasca Keruntuhan Orde Baru). Karsa, XII(2), 132–147.
Malik, R., Visvizi, A., & Skrzek-Lubasińska, M. (2021). The Gig Economy: Current Issues, the Debate, and the New Avenues of Research. Sustainability, 13(9), 5023. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095023
Markus, H., & Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and The Self: Implication for Cognitif, Emotion, and Motivation. Psychological Review, 98, 224–253.
Minhaji, & Arifin, S. (2021). Self-Concept and Career Development of Santri Welcoming the Society 5 . 0. Proceedings of the 1st MICOSS Mercu Buana International Conference on Social Sciences, MICOSS 2020, September 28-29, 2020, Jakarta, Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.28-9-
2020.2307562
Muslihati. (2014). Nilai-nilai Psychological Well-Being dalam Budaya Madura dan Kontribusinya
Pada Pengembangan Kesiapan Karier Remaja Menghadapi Bonus Demografi. Jurnal Studi Sosial, 2(1), 50–66.
Norhasan. (2012). Pola Ritual dan Makna Simbolis Tradisi Kadiran. Teosofi, 2(1), 50–66.
Oyer, P. (2020). The gig economy. In IZA World of Labor. In IZA World of Labor. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.15185/izawol.471
Rojas, C., Peñafiel, G., Buitrago, D., & Romero, C. (21 C.E.). Society 5.0: A Japanese Concept for a Superintelligent Society. Sustainability. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/SU13126567.
Saadi, A., Morales, B., Chen, L., & Sudhinaraset, M. (2023). Understanding the function of social capital among Mexican and Chinese immigrants in Southern California : A qualitative study. SSM
- Qualitative Research in Health, 3(February), 100247.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmqr.2023.100247
Samsul, A., & Risma, A. F. (2020). The Model of Development Therapeutic Speech in the Digital Era: A Study of “ Interpretation of Al- Mishbah ” for Cyber-Counseling Services. Proceedings of the 19th Annual International Conference on Islamic Studies, AICIS 2019, 1-4 October 2019, Jakarta, Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.1-10-2019.2291647
Savickas, M. L. (2005). The theory and practice of career construction. In S. D. B. & R. W. Len (Ed.), Career development and counseling: Putting theory and research to work (pp. 42–70). John Wiley & Sons. SCIRP.
Sukaryo. (1996). Jâmi’ud Da'awât. Salafiyah Syafi’iyah Sukorejo.
Super, D. E. (1963). Self-concepts in Vocational Development. In and J. P. J. D. E. Super, R. Starishevski, N. Matlin (Ed.), Career Development: Self-concept Theory (pp. 1–16). College Entrance Examination Board.
Super, D. E. (1990). A Lfe-Span, Life-Space Approach to Career Development. In D. Brown & L. Brooks (Eds.), Career Choice and Development: Applying Contemporary Theories to Practice. Jossey-Bass.
Umney, C., Stuart, M., Bessa, I., Joyce, S., Neumann, D., & Trappmann, V. (2024). Platform Labour Unrest in a Global Perspective: How, Where and Why Do Platform Workers Protest? Work, Employment and Society, 38, 3–26.
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Indonesia Forum on Labour and Productivity
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.