Arab–Javanese cultural acculturation and the construction of local identity in Polowijen Cultural Village, East Java

Although Arab-Javanese cultural interaction has historically influenced social and religious life in East Java, limited attention has been given to its role in community-level identity formation. This study examines Arab-Javanese cultural acculturation and its contribution to local identity construction in Polowijen Cultural Village, Malang, East Java. Employing a qualitative case study design informed by acculturation theory, it explores how Arab and Javanese cultural elements are negotiated, adapted, and maintained in everyday community practices. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, then analyzed thematically. The findings reveal that community customs, religious rituals such as mauludan, megengan, nyadran, and riyoyo kupatan, and social interactions reflect the peaceful coexistence of Arab and Javanese cultural elements. These rituals combine Islamic prayers and recitations with Javanese ceremonial traditions. Such practices demonstrate that acculturation fosters a dynamic and adaptive local identity, strengthening social cohesion and cultural continuity without eliminating indigenous traditions. The study highlights acculturation as an ongoing process of cultural negotiation rather than assimilation, through which diverse cultural elements are adapted, maintained, and incorporated into local identity