The The Ngembakh Tradition of the Alas Tribe in Kute Mejile Village: An Islamic Criminal Law Perspective

Ideally, the Ngembakh tradition among the Alas ethnic community in Kute Mejile Village serves as a noble social institution intended to bring together young men and women in a controlled environment to foster social bonds and facilitate the search for life partners, thereby preserving the continuity of lineage. However, the reality on the ground reveals a shift in values and a relaxation of oversight, leading to deviations such as khalwat (seclusion between unmarried couples), unsupervised interactions, and even the potential for immoral acts that contradict the principles of Islamic criminal law. This study aims to analyze the Ngembakh tradition from the perspective of Islamic criminal law and examine how it is practiced within the Alas community. The research employs a juridical-sociological method with a qualitative approach. The findings indicate that when left uncontrolled, the implementation of Ngembakh may lead to violations of sharia, particularly acts that fall under the category of ta'zir punishments in Islamic criminal law. Therefore, it is necessary to revitalize Islamic values in the implementation of this tradition through strict supervision and continuous guidance to ensure that the tradition can be preserved without compromising religious norms.