J. Pijar MIPA, Vol. 16 No.4, June 2021: 531-534 ISSN 1907-1744 (Print) DOI: 10.29303/jpm.v16i4.2798 ISSN 2460-1500 (Online) 531 CHEMICAL CONTENT IN THE SEMBEQ TRADITIONAL RITUALS OF THE LOMBOK COMMUNITY Yayuk Andayani 1* , Burhanuddin, Aliefman Hakim, I Nyoman Loka, Muti ’ ah Chemistry Education Study Program FTTE, University of Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia *Email: yayukmtr@unram.ac.id Acceped: August 27 2021. Approved: Sept 01 2021. Published: Sept 03 2021 Abstract: This study aims to identify and describe the chemical content in the sembeq traditional rituals, especially in the medicinal purpose of the Lombok community. Qualitative approach research with a phenomenological approach is used in focusing on data collecting of the Sembeq tradition. Data on indigenous knowledge of the community was obtained through interviews with Belians, who were the key informants. Data in the form of narration were analyzed descriptively. The results showed that in the Sembeq tradition, which is used for medicinal purposes, the main ingredients are betel leaf, areca nut, and fine lime. Chemical content relevant to the sembeq tradition includes secondary metabolites, mixtures, chemical reactions, bases, solution pH, and surface area. Keywords: Sembeq, chemical, indigenous, metabolite secondary INTRODUCTION The island of Lombok cannot be taken from beliefs and traditions that are considered to have religious values, mutual respect, and hospitality, which are unique characteristics of people's lives with socio-religious traits [1]. Sembeq is an unwritten tradition passed down from generation to generation and is still believed and valid in some Lombok people. Sembeq is a symbolic tradition of the Lombok people that has a deep meaning [2] and, in practice, is accompanied by prayer or mantra pronounce certain people can only perform that. Although sembeq was initially used for medicinal purposes made by a belian/traditional healer, sembeq became expanded in various traditional Lombok rituals such as pedaq api rituals, peresean, bau nyale, weddings, and reception for welcoming traditional guests. The Sembeq tradition includes a complex of knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, and everything that is a habit of society. Cultural characteristics in ethnoscience include values, attitudes, and knowledge which are important elements in developing student character. It is what lies behind the development of an ethnoscience approach in the learning process [3], and to increase the relevance of science learning, a breakthrough in curriculum and pedagogy is needed besides learning science theory and facts Ethnoscience integration in learning, especially chemistry, in the classroom and the laboratory, is still not widely done [4]. Difficulty in identifying relevant chemical concepts in ethnoscience is a problem faced by many teachers. Identification of the chemical content of the Sembeq tradition will be beneficial for realizing meaningful learning because this tradition has been embedded in the daily life of the Lombok people. This study aims to identify and describe the chemical content in the Sembeq traditional ritual of the Lombok community. The research results are expected to contribute to the development of ethnoscience-based chemistry teaching materials that can be used in learning in schools. RESEARCH METHODS This study uses a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. In general, qualitative research uses descriptive data in the form of words or expressions, including actions [5] observed in the Sembeq tradition in Lombok society. Data on the symbolic meaning of the sembeq tradition were obtained through interviews with key informants, namely Belian that experts in performing the sembeq ritual. The data were analyzed qualitatively through the stages of data reduction, data presentation in narrative form, and concluding [6]. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Sembeq Tradition The sembeq tradition is a heritage to the community from generation to generation from their ancestors. Initially, sembeq was used for medicinal purposes, usually used to cure headaches and fever, but what developed in the sembeq community was also used in other traditional rituals. A similar opinion was expressed by Iptika [7] that people believe that betel nut can strengthen teeth, eliminate bad breath, and cure toothache and nourish the body. It happens because the hydrolysis of lime on arecoline produces arcaidine, which is a central nervous stimulant. When mixed with betel leaf, it can produce mild euphoria, which gives addictive properties and a sense of pleasure when chewed. The sembeq process is closely related to mamaq activities, namely nginang or betel nut activities such as Javanese tradition, but there are slight differences between the two. Sembeq is practiced using prayers or mantras, so sembeq can