ECOSPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY IN THE CHARITY RITUAL OF MOUNT NGASA GANDOANG IN SALEM, CENTRAL JAVA

This research begins with the question of how the Sedekah Gunung Ngasa Gandoang ritual functions as a collective mechanism in maintaining ecological balance while strengthening the cultural identity of the community amidst the currents of modernization and ecological crisis. The main objectives of the research are (1) to analyze the ecological and spiritual values ​​contained in the Sedekah Gunung Ngasa Gandoang ritual, (2) to examine its social function in strengthening collective identity, and (3) to analyze the sustainability mechanism of the Sedekah Gunung Ngasa Gandoang ritual amidst socio-cultural changes. The approach used is qualitative ethnography through participatory observation, in-depth interviews with traditional leaders, religious figures, and the younger generation, accompanied by visual documentation. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis techniques to find patterns of meaning, social functions, and mechanisms of traditional inheritance. The research findings show that the Sedekah Gunung Ngasa Gandoang ritual plays a multifunctional role: as a sacred ritual, a means of natural resource conservation, and a medium for transmitting values ​​between generations. However, challenges remain, particularly the weakening of the inheritance of values ​​and the reduced involvement of the younger generation. This research recommends that further studies highlight the role of digital media, cultural policies, and cross-generational collaboration as an effort to revitalize traditions so that they remain adaptive and relevant.