From Sacred Symbol to Circular Consumption: Bulus Symbolism and Thrifting Behavior Among Coastal Muslim Youth in Java
Abstract
This paper examines the relationship between local cultural symbolism, eco-spiritual awareness, and sustainable consumption behavior through the case of thrifting practices among coastal Muslim youth in Java. While previous studies on second-hand fashion primarily focus on economic motivation, youth identity, and circular economy, limited research explores how local religious-cultural symbols influence ecological behavior. This study proposes that the reinterpretation of the bulus symbol associated with the heritage of Demak can function as an eco-spiritual narrative encouraging circular consumption and anti-waste ethics. Using a mixed-methods approach, this research combines semiotic interpretation, discourse analysis, participant observation, and survey data from young thrift consumers in Central Java. The findings reveal that thrifting is not merely an economic activity but also a moral and symbolic practice linked to modesty, anti-excess consumption, environmental care, and ethical reuse. The paper argues that cultural symbols rooted in Islamic-Javanese heritage can become important instruments for sustainability communication and ecological behavior transformation. The study contributes to the growing discourse on sustainable fashion, circular economy, environmental communication, and eco-spirituality by introducing the concept of eco-spiritual circular behavior. It also demonstrates how local cultural heritage can be mobilized as a practical sustainability framework in contemporary youth culture.
References
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Mehdi, S. A. (2025). Tourism and circular economy: A case study from Kumaon Himalayas. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 16(3), 279–286. https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v16.3(79).08
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Muhammad Rumi. (2025). The dome, mihrab, and minaret in modern mosque architecture. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15058075
Muh Ichwan Musa, Muh Al Fatah Arief Putra, & Tuti Adi Tama. (2025). Motivational Dimensions In Alfred Schutz’s Phenomenology: Understanding Secondhand Consumption Lifestyle Among Universitas Negeri Makassar Students. Journal of Studies in Academic, Humanities, Research, and Innovation, 2(2), 221–232. https://doi.org/10.71305/sahri.v2i2.914
Muththarasi. (2025). Cultural narratives and their impact on sustainable business. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16616861
Nalawade. (2025). Promotion of cultural narratives and practices that inspire environmental consciousness. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15017872
Piucco, V., Pilau Sobrinho, L. L., & Zibetti, F. W. (2022). O modelo de vestuário fast fashion e seus impactos: Danos ambientais, sociais e trabalho análogo a de escravo. Ponto de Vista Jurídico, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.33362/juridico.v11i01.2914
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Priyadharshini, R., Vasanthi, D., & Bhuvaneswari, R. (2024). The role of circular economy in transforming the fashion industry. International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Management, 2(9), 2875–2879. https://doi.org/10.47392/irjaem.2024.0423
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Ramdan, D., & Pertiwi, S. (2025). Exploring consumer motivations and perceptions in thrifting as a lifestyle choice. Buana Komunikasi: Jurnal Penelitian dan Studi Ilmu Komunikasi, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.32897/buanakomunikasi.2025.6.2.4600
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Sponsel, L. E. (2012). Spiritual ecology: A quiet revolution. Praeger.
Sridhar, V. (2025, May 25). Perception of thrifting. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15510108
Sumathy, M., & Kesawaraj, P. K. (2025). Thrift economy: Why Gen Z prefers second hand over fast fashion. International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Communication and Technology. https://doi.org/10.48175/IJARSCT-28631
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Supatmo. (2018). Ikonografi ornamen Lawang Bledheg Masjid Agung Demak. Imajinasi, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.15294/imajinasi.v12i2.17469
Sutanto, V., Setyowati, I., Rizka, [additional author information not provided in the original list]. (2025). Thrifting sebagai representasi gaya hidup Generasi Z: Perspektif interaksi simbolik. Mediakom, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.35760/mkm.2025.v9i1.15067
Suwarno, P., Rofi'uddin, A. H., & Fauzan, A. (2025). Wingit as ecospiritual conservation: Sacred ecology in Javanese place-based environmental practices. E3S Web of Conferences, 640, 02015. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202564002015
Syeda. (2025). An analytical study of Islamic faith and ethics in the context of environmental sustainability. RJITC, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.64768/rjitc.v3i1.2465
Syihabuddin, M., Mubaraq, Z., Mustofa, M.L. (2023). Elucidating eco-religious in Islamic studies and the future of environmental ethics. Al-'Adalah, 26(2). https://doi.org/10.35719/aladalah.v26i2.370
Taylor, B. (2010). Dark green religion: Nature spirituality and the planetary future. University of California Press.
Wibiyanto, A., & Prastowo, I. (2023). Identifikasi nilai-nilai historis pada Masjid Agung Demak untuk wisata heritage dan ziarah di Kabupaten Demak. Jurnal Pariwisata Indonesia, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.53691/jpi.v19i1.346
Widyaningsih, M., Priyanka, F., & Bibi, S. (2025). Faith, ecology, and frugality: Unpacking Muslim consumers' motivations toward fashion thrifting. Relevance: Journal of Management and Business, 8(2), 175–191. https://doi.org/10.22515/relevance.v8i2.12717
Anisa, A. F., & Afif, N. C. (2025). Thrift clothing shopping trends among Gen Z in Purwokerto: A case study. Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Economics, Management, and Accounting. https://doi.org/10.32424/icsema.1.1.147
Arias-Meza, M., Alvarez-Risco, A., Cuya-Velásquez, B. B., Anderson-Seminario, M. de las M., & Del-Aguila-Arcentales, S. (2022). Fashion and textile circularity and waste footprint. In A. Alvarez-Risco, S. S. Muthu, & S. Del-Aguila-Arcentales (Eds.), Circular economy: Impact on carbon and water footprint (pp. 181–204). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0549-0_9
Aryaputra, R. T., Wibowo, T. O., Stefan, R. J., Yusiana, R., & Jessica. (2023). The phenomenon of thrifting as an alternative solution related to reducing environmental impact on fast fashion. Formosa Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2(8), 1511–1526. https://doi.org/10.55927/fjmr.v2i8.5696
Awaliyah, D. N. (2025). Reinterpreting the Bulus in the Mihrab of Masjid Agung Demak: Cultural symbolism, architectural sustainability, and community-based conservation. Journal of Architecture and Urban Studies, 2(2), 66–77.
Bensaid, B. (2018). Crossroads between Muslim spirituality and environmental sustainability. Journal of Al-Tamaddun, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.22452/JAT.VOL13NO1.7
Blumer, H. (1969). Symbolic interactionism: Perspective and method. Prentice-Hall.
Chen, X., Memon, H. A., Wang, Y., Marriam, I., & Tebyetekerwa, M. (2021). Circular economy and sustainability of the clothing and textile industry. Materials Circular Economy, 3, Article 12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42824-021-00026-2
Circular fashion revolution: Sustainable fashion through up-cycling and traditional textiles. (2025). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14604609
Costa, R. D. da, Conceição, M. M., & Conceição, J. T. P. (2021). A comunicação, o consumo e a sustentabilidade: Uma análise sob a ótica ambiental. Research, Society and Development, 10(8). https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i8.17634
Cox, R. (2013). Environmental communication and the public sphere (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Darmiwati, R. (2022). Pendekatan pengaruh konsep arsitektur Islam Masjid Agung Demak pada perancangan masjid di Jawa. https://doi.org/10.37477/csds.v1i2.403
Das, A. K., Hossain, M. F., Khan, B. U., Rahman, M. M., Asad, M. A. Z., & Akter, M. (2025). Circular economy: A sustainable model for waste reduction and wealth creation in the textile supply chain. SPE Polymers, 6(1), Article e10171. https://doi.org/10.1002/pls2.10171
Devi, D. V., Sjuchro, D. W., & Setiaman, A. (2025). Eksplorasi kebutuhan konsumen thrifting berdasarkan buyerarchy of needs: Studi kasus Pasar Cimol Gedebage. Jurnal Ekonomi Bisnis dan Akuntansi, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.55606/jebaku.v5i2.5352
Encep, E., Anwar, H., & Febriani, N. (2022). Ekospiritual: Relasi alam dan manusia dalam pandangan berbagai agama. SALAM: Jurnal Sosial dan Budaya Syar-i, 9(3). https://doi.org/10.15408/sjsbs.v9i3.26465
Gada, M. Y. (2024). Islam and environmental ethics. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009308236
Ghisellini, P., Cialani, C., & Ulgiati, S. (2016). A review on circular economy: The expected transition to a balanced interplay of environmental and economic systems. Journal of Cleaner Production, 114, 11–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.09.007
Gueye, M. K., & Mohamed, N. (2022). An Islamic perspective on ecology and sustainability. In Islamic perspectives on sustainable development. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.105032
Haraldsson, F., & Perić, S. (2017). Drivers and motivations for second-hand shopping: A study of second-hand consumers. Kristianstad University. https://hkr.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1138322/FULLTEXT01.pdf
Hutama, L. (2025). Hamemayu Hayuning Bawono dalam ekoteologi keseimbangan pada Surat Ar-Rahman 6–10. Indonesian Journal of Islamic Theology and Philosophy, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.24042/ijitp.v7i2.29077
Kumar, P. (2025). Circular fashion and recycling. In Advances in marketing, customer relationship management, and e-services. IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3373-2454-8.ch010
Mehdi, S. A. (2025). Tourism and circular economy: A case study from Kumaon Himalayas. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 16(3), 279–286. https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v16.3(79).08
Mitchell, L. (2023). The environmental impacts of fast fashion. Environmental Studies Repository. https://doi.org/10.5526/esj.257
Moustapha Kamal Guey. (2023). An Islamic perspective on ecology and sustainability. In IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.105032
Muhammad Rumi. (2025). The dome, mihrab, and minaret in modern mosque architecture. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15058075
Muh Ichwan Musa, Muh Al Fatah Arief Putra, & Tuti Adi Tama. (2025). Motivational Dimensions In Alfred Schutz’s Phenomenology: Understanding Secondhand Consumption Lifestyle Among Universitas Negeri Makassar Students. Journal of Studies in Academic, Humanities, Research, and Innovation, 2(2), 221–232. https://doi.org/10.71305/sahri.v2i2.914
Muththarasi. (2025). Cultural narratives and their impact on sustainable business. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16616861
Nalawade. (2025). Promotion of cultural narratives and practices that inspire environmental consciousness. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15017872
Piucco, V., Pilau Sobrinho, L. L., & Zibetti, F. W. (2022). O modelo de vestuário fast fashion e seus impactos: Danos ambientais, sociais e trabalho análogo a de escravo. Ponto de Vista Jurídico, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.33362/juridico.v11i01.2914
Podkalicka, A. M., & Potts, J. (2014). Towards a general theory of thrift. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 17(3), 227–241. https://doi.org/10.1177/1367877913496198
Priyadharshini, R., Vasanthi, D., & Bhuvaneswari, R. (2024). The role of circular economy in transforming the fashion industry. International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Management, 2(9), 2875–2879. https://doi.org/10.47392/irjaem.2024.0423
Rahmayani, D., Said, M., [additional authors not provided in the original list]. (2025). Integrasi kosmologi Jawa dan ekoteologi Islam dalam pemikiran Seyyed Hossein Nasr. Panangkaran: Jurnal Penelitian Agama dan Masyarakat, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.14421/panangkaran.v9i2.4660
Ramadhana, D., & Dharoko, A. (2018). Ruang sakral dan profan dalam arsitektur Masjid Agung Demak, Jawa Tengah. https://doi.org/10.21831/INERSIA.V14I1.19491
Ramdan, D., & Pertiwi, S. (2025). Exploring consumer motivations and perceptions in thrifting as a lifestyle choice. Buana Komunikasi: Jurnal Penelitian dan Studi Ilmu Komunikasi, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.32897/buanakomunikasi.2025.6.2.4600
Ramírez-Escamilla, H. G., Rodríguez, M., Padilla-Rivera, A., [additional authors not provided in the original list]. (2024). Advancing toward sustainability: A systematic review of circular economy strategies in the textile industry. Recycling, 9(5), Article 95. https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling9050095
Randhawa, R. K. (2025). Upcycling and recycling in sustainable fashion. In Advances in marketing, customer relationship management, and e-services. IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-9959-0.ch021
Sponsel, L. E. (2012). Spiritual ecology: A quiet revolution. Praeger.
Sridhar, V. (2025, May 25). Perception of thrifting. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15510108
Sumathy, M., & Kesawaraj, P. K. (2025). Thrift economy: Why Gen Z prefers second hand over fast fashion. International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Communication and Technology. https://doi.org/10.48175/IJARSCT-28631
Supatmo. (2016). Keragaman seni hias bangunan bersejarah Masjid Agung Demak. Imajinasi, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.15294/imajinasi.v10i2.8805
Supatmo. (2018). Ikonografi ornamen Lawang Bledheg Masjid Agung Demak. Imajinasi, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.15294/imajinasi.v12i2.17469
Sutanto, V., Setyowati, I., Rizka, [additional author information not provided in the original list]. (2025). Thrifting sebagai representasi gaya hidup Generasi Z: Perspektif interaksi simbolik. Mediakom, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.35760/mkm.2025.v9i1.15067
Suwarno, P., Rofi'uddin, A. H., & Fauzan, A. (2025). Wingit as ecospiritual conservation: Sacred ecology in Javanese place-based environmental practices. E3S Web of Conferences, 640, 02015. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202564002015
Syeda. (2025). An analytical study of Islamic faith and ethics in the context of environmental sustainability. RJITC, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.64768/rjitc.v3i1.2465
Syihabuddin, M., Mubaraq, Z., Mustofa, M.L. (2023). Elucidating eco-religious in Islamic studies and the future of environmental ethics. Al-'Adalah, 26(2). https://doi.org/10.35719/aladalah.v26i2.370
Taylor, B. (2010). Dark green religion: Nature spirituality and the planetary future. University of California Press.
Wibiyanto, A., & Prastowo, I. (2023). Identifikasi nilai-nilai historis pada Masjid Agung Demak untuk wisata heritage dan ziarah di Kabupaten Demak. Jurnal Pariwisata Indonesia, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.53691/jpi.v19i1.346
Widyaningsih, M., Priyanka, F., & Bibi, S. (2025). Faith, ecology, and frugality: Unpacking Muslim consumers' motivations toward fashion thrifting. Relevance: Journal of Management and Business, 8(2), 175–191. https://doi.org/10.22515/relevance.v8i2.12717
Published
2026-08-28
How to Cite
AWALIYAH, Dian Nafiatul et al.
From Sacred Symbol to Circular Consumption: Bulus Symbolism and Thrifting Behavior Among Coastal Muslim Youth in Java.
Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, [S.l.], v. 17, n. 3, p. 371 - 387, aug. 2026.
ISSN 2068-7729.
Available at: <https://journals.aserspublishing.eu/jemt/article/view/9620>. Date accessed: 02 sep. 2026.
doi: https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v17.3(83).10.
Section
Article
Copyright© 2025 The Author(s). Published by ASERS Publishing 2025. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of CC-BY 4.0 license.