The Phenomenology of The Suryak Ae Tradition in Art Photography: Representations of Spiritual Meaning and Cultural Identity

Abstract

This research examines the phenomenology of the Suryak Ae tradition through the perspective of fine art photography. This research aims to explore the spiritual, symbolic, and cultural meanings embedded in ritual practices and to analyze how these meanings are represented visually through artistic photography. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, this study draws on the theories of Edmund Husserl and Maurice Merleau-Ponty to understand life experiences, perceptions, and embodiments in visual representations. Data collection techniques include participant observation, in-depth interviews, visual documentation, and interpretive analysis of photographic artworks. The findings show that the Suryak Ae tradition functions not only as a ritual activity but also as a medium of collective memory, spirituality, and local cultural identity. Fine art photography transforms ritual experiences into contemplative visual narratives through composition, light, symbolism, and atmosphere. The study concludes that photography serves as a cultural preservation and artistic interpretation, allowing local traditions to gain wider visibility in contemporary visual cultural discourse.