ANALISIS KEPERCAYAAN MASYARAKAT TERHADAP MITOS SUMUR GEROH DI DESA PERUMASAN, KECAMATAN CIPEUCANG, KABUPATEN PANDEGLANG : STUDI KASUS KULIAH KERJA NYATA (KKN)

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the community's belief in the Sumur Geroh myth in Parumasan Village, Cipeucang District, Pandeglang Regency, and to describe the origin and narrative of the myth, the level of community belief, its social and cultural functions, and the process of transmitting the myth amid social change. This study employed a descriptive qualitative method with a case study approach. Data were collected through field observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation. Informants were selected using purposive sampling based on their knowledge and involvement in the existence and stories surrounding Sumur Geroh. Data were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles and Huberman, consisting of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings show that the Sumur Geroh myth is part of a local folk narrative that has been passed down from generation to generation through oral communication. The prevailing myth states that a person who bathes in Sumur Geroh is believed to forget their hometown. Community belief in the myth varies among individuals and generations. Older members of the community tend to maintain stronger belief in the myth because they received the story directly from previous generations, while some younger people have begun to view it more critically and understand it as part of local folklore and cultural heritage. The Sumur Geroh myth also serves social and cultural functions, including transmitting knowledge across generations, strengthening social relationships, conveying social norms and advice, and maintaining local cultural identity. Modernization has not completely eliminated the myth but has influenced the way people interpret it, shifting from a literal belief toward an understanding of the myth as part of local cultural and historical heritage.