The Production of Religious Space: Lived Space and the Sacred-Economic Dialectic in the Sunan Ampel Pilgrimage Area, Surabaya
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study examines the production of religious space in the Sunan Ampel area of Surabaya through a sociological-historical approach, emphasizing the concept of lived space and the dialectics between sacrality and economy. Departing from Henri Lefebvre’s theory of space production, this article argues that the sacredness of Ampel is not a static entity that is inherited ahistorically, but rather the result of social construction that continues to be produced and reproduced through ritual practices, social relations, economic activities, and collective memory that are formed historically. This research uses a qualitative method with in-depth interviews, field observations, and historical document analysis. The study’s findings show that, sociologically and historically, Ampel evolved from a religious settlement into an urban religious pilgrimage and tourism area with layers of symbolic, social, and economic meaning. The dialectic between sacredness and economics does not exist as a structural conflict of a binary nature, but rather as an everyday social experience negotiated by the actors. In the Sunan Ampel lived space, economic activities are tied to religious ethics and the moral economy, thereby supporting the sacred space’s sustainability.
Keywords: space production, lived space, sacrality, economy
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Azizah, Siti, Karnaji Karnaji, and Bagong Suyanto. “The Production of Religious Space: Lived Space and the Sacred-Economic Dialectic in the Sunan Ampel Pilgrimage Area, Surabaya”. Islamica: Jurnal Studi Keislaman 20, no. 2 (March 1, 2026): 160-184. Accessed March 2, 2026. https://islamica.uinsa.ac.id/index.php/islamica/article/view/1273.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
References
1. Books, academic articles, online resources
Abdi, M. Rizal. “Flock With God, Ally With Money: Pilgrimage of the Wali as Generator of Local Economy.” Nizham 5, no. 2 (2017): 1-14. https://e-journal.metrouniv.ac.id/nizham/article/view/986/827.
Aldyan, Rizal Akbar. “The Commodification of Religious Tourism in the Tomb of Sunan Kudus.” Cultural Tourism Research 2, no. 7 (2020): 32-47. https://doi.org/10.17613/nx9e-3a27.
Budiarto, Atiek Suprapti, Indriastjario, and Agung Budi Sardjono. “The Urban Heritage of Masjid Sunan Ampel Surabaya: To-ward the Intelligent Urbanism Development.” Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences 227 (2016): 601–608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.06.121.
Choe, Jaeyeon. “Religious Tourism.” Tourism Geographies 27, no. 3–4 (2025): 830–839. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2024.2423168.
Eliade, Mircea. The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion. New York: Harcourt, 1959.
Fauzia, Amelia, and Haryo Mojopahit. “Instagramable Pilgrimage: Spiritualism, Conservatism and Commodified Religion on In-donesian Celebgrams Posts.” Khazanah: Jurnal Studi Islam dan Humaniora 21, no. 2 (2023): 245–272. https://doi.org/10.18592/khazanah.v21i2.10351.
Hudanti, Farida, Takeyuki Okubo, and Petrus N. Indradjati. “Spatial Analysis for Fire Risk Reduction in Kampung Ampel Cultural Heritage Area, Surabaya.” Geoplanning: Journal of Geomatics and Planning 7, no. 1 (2020): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.14710/geo¬planning.7.1.1-16.
Jannah, Imas Lu’ul. “Pious Yet Trendy Young Muslim: ‘The Bros Team’ and Public Qur’an in Indonesia.” Jurnal Studi Ilmu-ilmu Al-Qur’an dan Hadis 23, no. 2 (2022): 373–390. https://doi.org/10.14421/qh.v23i2.4465.
Knott, Kim. The Location of Religion: A Spatial Analysis. London: Routledge, 2015. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315652641.
Latif, Aqilah N. K., Wiwik D. Pratiwi, and Samsirina. “Analisis Pe¬rubahan Permukiman Akibat Pariwisata di Kawasan Wisata Situ Cileunca Kabupaten Bandung.” Jurnal Lingkungan Binaan Indonesia 8, no. 3 (2019): 96–104. https://doi.org/10.32315/jlbi.8.2.70.
Lefebvre, Henri. The Production of Space. Translated by Donald Ni-cholson-Smith. Oxford: Blackwell, 1991.
Madyan, M., Himmatul Kholidah, Dina Fitrisia S., and Nisful Laila. “Dampak Ekonomi Wisata Religi: Studi Kasus Kawasan Wisata Sunan Ampel Surabaya.” BISMA (Bisnis dan Manajemen) 7, no. 2 (2018): 101–106. https://doi.org/10.26740/bisma.v7n2.p101-106.
Makinde, Olusola Oladapo, and Amao Funmilayo Lanrewaju. “Henri Lefebvre Theory of Space and Social Production Phi-losophy: A Critical Interpretation.” Global Journal of Arts Humanity and Social Sciences 4, no. 1 (2024): 67–80. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10577092.
Maulida, Lida, and Doli Witro. “Komodifikasi Simbol-Simbol Agama di Kalangan Kelas Menengah Muslim di Indonesia.” SOSEBI: Jurnal Penelitian Mahasiswa Ilmu Sosial Ekonomi dan Bisnis Islam 2, no. 2 (2022): 137–152. https://doi.org/10.21274/sosebi.v2i2.6299.
Orsi, Robert A. Between Heaven and Earth: The Religious Life of Everyday People. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2003.
Santosa, Budi, Antariksa, and Lisa Dwi Wulandari. “Dina¬mika Ruang Wisata Religi Makam Sunan Giri di Kabupaten Gresik.” El-Harakah 16, no. 2 (2014): 174-202. https://doi.org/10.18860/el.v16i2.2775.
Schwarze, Tilman. Space, Urban Politics, and Everyday Life. Cham: Pal¬grave Macmillan, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46038-8_2.
Subaqin, Agus, Antariksa, Lisa Dwi Wulandari, and Herry Santoso. “Patterns of Sacred Spaces in the Settlement with Re¬ligious Plurality: Balun Village, Lamongan.” Journal of Islamic Ar¬chitecture 7, no. 3 (2023): 493–500. https://doi.org/10.18860/jia.v7i3.20 020.
Suprihardjo, Rimadewi. “Pengembangan Kawasan Cagar Budaya Ampel sebagai Potensi Pariwisata Religi di Surabaya.” Jurnal Pe¬nataan Ruang 11, no. 1 (2016): 30–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.12962/j2716179X.v11i1.5213.
Sutianto, Suwindar Agung, Yuanita F. D. Sidabutar, and M. Ismael P. Sinaga. “Development of Historical and Religious Tourism in Spatial Planning Towards the Utilization of Local Wisdom Potentials in Penyengat Island.” JMKSP (Jurnal Manajemen Kepemimpinan dan Supervisi Pendidikan) 8, no. 2 (2023): 527–543. https://doi.org/10.31851/jmksp.v8i2.11234.
Sumandiyar, A., and H. Nur. “Space Capitalization and Marginaliza¬tion of Communities Around the Sultan Hasanuddin Interna¬tional Airport Area.” Phinisi Integration Review 3, no. 2 (2020): 249–255. https://doi.org/10.26858/pir.v3i2.14903.
Williams, Jack. “Embodied World Construction: A Phenomenology of Ritual.” Religious Studies 60, no. 1 (2024): 103–122. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0034412523000033.
2. Interview
Agus Khaerul, Surabaya, 28 October 2025.
Faizal, Surabaya, 21 October 2025.
Hanafi, Surabaya, 13 November 2025.
Hj. Rusni, Surabaya, 13 November 2025.
Ida, Surabaya, 28 October 2025.
Muhammad Jamaluddin, Surabaya, 28 October 2025.
Muslihah, Surabaya, 29 October 2025.
Mustajab, Surabaya, 12 December 2025.
Nizar, Surabaya, 11 December 2025.
Qorib, Surabaya, 21 October 2025.
Sutan Rajatinggi Ritonga, Surabaya, 28 October 2025.
Safari, Surabaya, 21 October 2025.
Utomo, Surabaya, 13 November 2025.
Umar, Surabaya, 31 October 2025.
Abdi, M. Rizal. “Flock With God, Ally With Money: Pilgrimage of the Wali as Generator of Local Economy.” Nizham 5, no. 2 (2017): 1-14. https://e-journal.metrouniv.ac.id/nizham/article/view/986/827.
Aldyan, Rizal Akbar. “The Commodification of Religious Tourism in the Tomb of Sunan Kudus.” Cultural Tourism Research 2, no. 7 (2020): 32-47. https://doi.org/10.17613/nx9e-3a27.
Budiarto, Atiek Suprapti, Indriastjario, and Agung Budi Sardjono. “The Urban Heritage of Masjid Sunan Ampel Surabaya: To-ward the Intelligent Urbanism Development.” Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences 227 (2016): 601–608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.06.121.
Choe, Jaeyeon. “Religious Tourism.” Tourism Geographies 27, no. 3–4 (2025): 830–839. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2024.2423168.
Eliade, Mircea. The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion. New York: Harcourt, 1959.
Fauzia, Amelia, and Haryo Mojopahit. “Instagramable Pilgrimage: Spiritualism, Conservatism and Commodified Religion on In-donesian Celebgrams Posts.” Khazanah: Jurnal Studi Islam dan Humaniora 21, no. 2 (2023): 245–272. https://doi.org/10.18592/khazanah.v21i2.10351.
Hudanti, Farida, Takeyuki Okubo, and Petrus N. Indradjati. “Spatial Analysis for Fire Risk Reduction in Kampung Ampel Cultural Heritage Area, Surabaya.” Geoplanning: Journal of Geomatics and Planning 7, no. 1 (2020): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.14710/geo¬planning.7.1.1-16.
Jannah, Imas Lu’ul. “Pious Yet Trendy Young Muslim: ‘The Bros Team’ and Public Qur’an in Indonesia.” Jurnal Studi Ilmu-ilmu Al-Qur’an dan Hadis 23, no. 2 (2022): 373–390. https://doi.org/10.14421/qh.v23i2.4465.
Knott, Kim. The Location of Religion: A Spatial Analysis. London: Routledge, 2015. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315652641.
Latif, Aqilah N. K., Wiwik D. Pratiwi, and Samsirina. “Analisis Pe¬rubahan Permukiman Akibat Pariwisata di Kawasan Wisata Situ Cileunca Kabupaten Bandung.” Jurnal Lingkungan Binaan Indonesia 8, no. 3 (2019): 96–104. https://doi.org/10.32315/jlbi.8.2.70.
Lefebvre, Henri. The Production of Space. Translated by Donald Ni-cholson-Smith. Oxford: Blackwell, 1991.
Madyan, M., Himmatul Kholidah, Dina Fitrisia S., and Nisful Laila. “Dampak Ekonomi Wisata Religi: Studi Kasus Kawasan Wisata Sunan Ampel Surabaya.” BISMA (Bisnis dan Manajemen) 7, no. 2 (2018): 101–106. https://doi.org/10.26740/bisma.v7n2.p101-106.
Makinde, Olusola Oladapo, and Amao Funmilayo Lanrewaju. “Henri Lefebvre Theory of Space and Social Production Phi-losophy: A Critical Interpretation.” Global Journal of Arts Humanity and Social Sciences 4, no. 1 (2024): 67–80. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10577092.
Maulida, Lida, and Doli Witro. “Komodifikasi Simbol-Simbol Agama di Kalangan Kelas Menengah Muslim di Indonesia.” SOSEBI: Jurnal Penelitian Mahasiswa Ilmu Sosial Ekonomi dan Bisnis Islam 2, no. 2 (2022): 137–152. https://doi.org/10.21274/sosebi.v2i2.6299.
Orsi, Robert A. Between Heaven and Earth: The Religious Life of Everyday People. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2003.
Santosa, Budi, Antariksa, and Lisa Dwi Wulandari. “Dina¬mika Ruang Wisata Religi Makam Sunan Giri di Kabupaten Gresik.” El-Harakah 16, no. 2 (2014): 174-202. https://doi.org/10.18860/el.v16i2.2775.
Schwarze, Tilman. Space, Urban Politics, and Everyday Life. Cham: Pal¬grave Macmillan, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46038-8_2.
Subaqin, Agus, Antariksa, Lisa Dwi Wulandari, and Herry Santoso. “Patterns of Sacred Spaces in the Settlement with Re¬ligious Plurality: Balun Village, Lamongan.” Journal of Islamic Ar¬chitecture 7, no. 3 (2023): 493–500. https://doi.org/10.18860/jia.v7i3.20 020.
Suprihardjo, Rimadewi. “Pengembangan Kawasan Cagar Budaya Ampel sebagai Potensi Pariwisata Religi di Surabaya.” Jurnal Pe¬nataan Ruang 11, no. 1 (2016): 30–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.12962/j2716179X.v11i1.5213.
Sutianto, Suwindar Agung, Yuanita F. D. Sidabutar, and M. Ismael P. Sinaga. “Development of Historical and Religious Tourism in Spatial Planning Towards the Utilization of Local Wisdom Potentials in Penyengat Island.” JMKSP (Jurnal Manajemen Kepemimpinan dan Supervisi Pendidikan) 8, no. 2 (2023): 527–543. https://doi.org/10.31851/jmksp.v8i2.11234.
Sumandiyar, A., and H. Nur. “Space Capitalization and Marginaliza¬tion of Communities Around the Sultan Hasanuddin Interna¬tional Airport Area.” Phinisi Integration Review 3, no. 2 (2020): 249–255. https://doi.org/10.26858/pir.v3i2.14903.
Williams, Jack. “Embodied World Construction: A Phenomenology of Ritual.” Religious Studies 60, no. 1 (2024): 103–122. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0034412523000033.
2. Interview
Agus Khaerul, Surabaya, 28 October 2025.
Faizal, Surabaya, 21 October 2025.
Hanafi, Surabaya, 13 November 2025.
Hj. Rusni, Surabaya, 13 November 2025.
Ida, Surabaya, 28 October 2025.
Muhammad Jamaluddin, Surabaya, 28 October 2025.
Muslihah, Surabaya, 29 October 2025.
Mustajab, Surabaya, 12 December 2025.
Nizar, Surabaya, 11 December 2025.
Qorib, Surabaya, 21 October 2025.
Sutan Rajatinggi Ritonga, Surabaya, 28 October 2025.
Safari, Surabaya, 21 October 2025.
Utomo, Surabaya, 13 November 2025.
Umar, Surabaya, 31 October 2025.