ABSTRACT
Ajhemo practised by Madurese women is closely related to the habit of planting trees, flowers and foliage in backyards, long before the government had encouraged its citizens to plant medicinal plants. Through their own initiative, these women began to plant with the aim of using as tambha (for medicinal purposes). The practice of ajhemo raises the question of why Madurese women maintain their habit of consuming medicinal plants while they are living in the modern era. This study applies Spradley’s methods of ethnography specific to the cognitive anthropological school, assuming that each society has its own unique knowledge system that can be learned by understanding the perception and mind organisation related to the material phenomena that occur around the people. Data were collected by means of an interview with some Madurese women living in Branta. This study finds that ajhemo is a daily practice carried out by Madurese women based on the concept of ajhemo ekariyan. The concept has encouraged Madurese women to carry out the ajhemo practice through generations up until today since the concept of health and beauty resulting from ajhemo has been associated with women. Therefore, Madurese women are mainly concerned about their health and beauty in order to fulfil their bigger responsibilities in their families.
