Kiai Leadership as Cultural Intermediaries and Political Actors in Strengthening Rural Social Resilience
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the role of kiai as cultural intermediaries, local political actors, and agents of social resilience in rural communities in Bondowoso Regency. The study used a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were obtained through interviews, observation, and documentation, then analyzed interactively through data condensation, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results show that kiai possess authority derived from religious knowledge, moral exemplars, social legitimacy, and Islamic boarding school networks. As cultural intermediaries, kiai bridge local traditions with Islamic values through a process of adaptation and negotiation. In local politics, kiai act as mediators between society and political actors and provide moral legitimacy, although their influence is not absolute. The interaction of culture, religion, and politics positions kiai as social actors who contribute to social cohesion and resilience, while also addressing political dynamics and contestation in society.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Khatipah Khatipah, Saihan Saihan, Abdul Rumkel, Akhmad Khamdani, M. Imdadur Rohman
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