Java society has many convictions, especially magical element. Magical element can be found in some tradition in Java. One of them is torch war tradition in Tegalsambi village, Tahunan, Jepara. Magical element which is believed by Tegalsambi society, appears from folklore in Tegalsambi. It can be called as a myth. However, it is a myth which is believed as a truth by Tegalsambi society. The myth has meaning a community faith matter, a emotion and a mental. Its intersting, when a tradition having specific conviction, such as myth or magical element, is related with religion, especially Islam. It appears a new meaning for follower. It’s proven by Tegalsambi society who most of people is a muslim.
Back to magical element in a torch war tradition. In modern era, many people considers a magical element in a tradition is unrasional. Because it cannot be seen by human senses. However magical element in a tradition can be seen through Frazer’s theory about magic. So writer try to inspect this tradition with Frazer’s theory. The purpose of this study is to know magical elements in torch war tradition using Sir James Frezer’s theory. This study also aims to know the meaning of torch war tradition for islamic society in Tegalsambi village.
This study is the part of field research which the data is collected by observing, interviewing, and documenting. The type of this study is qualitative research which will be analyzed with descriptive analysis method. The data will be interpreted with Frezer’s theory about magic. And the result of this study is a interpretation about magical elements in torch war tradition using Frezer’s theory, it can be found and can be interpreted into two results, that are about fire and coconut oil. Whereas, the between of tradition and religion is a form of cosmology Java.