Pesantren and Scholarly Works: A Literacy Ethos as the Brand Culture of Pesantren

Authors

  • Ragil Arwani Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Hidayatut Thullab Kediri, Indonesia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63245/jpds.v2i2.51

Abstract

This study examines pesantren branding as a cultural strategy for building a brand culture rooted in Islamic scholarly traditions, an area that remains relatively underexplored in the educational branding literature. This study aims to analyze how branding practices are constructed, interpreted, and institutionalized in the context of pesantren. The research uses a qualitative case study design at Pondok Pesantren Hidayatut Thullab Kediri. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, and then analyzed inductively and thematically. The results show that pesantren branding is developed through the practice of scientific writing, which serves as an institutional identity and collective culture. This branding is built through three main aspects: the scientific leadership initiative initiated by the (late) KH. Yasin Asmuni, institutional marketing support, and the formation of cadres based on mastery of scientific works. This study also identifies three models of pesantren branding: brand communication grounded in scientific narratives, brand expression through academic content, and brand management that adapts to cultural changes. These findings enrich educational branding studies by offering a branding model grounded in the intellectual traditions and scientific culture of pesantren.

Keywords:

Brand Culture, Islamic Boarding School, Pesantren Branding

References

Aaker, David A. Building Strong Brands. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2012.

Aedi, Ulul. “Strategi Branding Pondok Pesantren Ath-Thohiriyyah Purwokerto Dalam Membangun Ekuitas Brand Di Era Digital.” Ulumuddin: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Keislaman 15, no. 2 (August 2025): 623–42. https://doi.org/10.47200/ulumuddin.v15i2.3045.

Baharun, Hasan, and Intania Intania. “Interaksi Simbolik Dan Imaji Religious Dalam Membangun Citra Pondok Pesantren Nurul Jadid.” Atthulab: Islamic Religion Teaching and Learning Journal 5, no. 1 (April 2020): 71–85. https://doi.org/10.15575/ath.v5i1.7317.

Balmer, John M. T. “Corporate Branding and Connoisseurship.” Journal of General Management 21, no. 1 (September 1995): 24–46. https://doi.org/10.1177/030630709502100102.

Bogdan, Robert, and Sari Knopp Biklen. Qualitative Research for Education: An Introduction to Theories and Methods. Pearson A & B, 2007.

Candraningrum, Diah Ayu. “Culture of Drinking Coffee as a Brand Culture Communication on Belitung Island.” Proceedings of the 1st Aceh Global Conference (AGC 2018), ASSEHR, vol. 292 (January 2019): 120–28. https://doi.org/10.2991/agc-18.2019.19.

Cialdini, Robert B. Influence: Science and Practice. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2001.

Ghazali, Ziyadul Ifdhal, and Nasrullah Nasrullah. “Strategi Pondok Pesantren Darul Ulum Banyuanyar Dalam Membangun Image Branding Di Media Sosial.” Re-JIEM (Research Journal of Islamic Education Management) 7, no. 1 (June 2024): 70–82. https://doi.org/10.19105/re-jiem.v7i1.12823.

Hakiki, Siti Nur. “Kepemimpinan Kiai Sebagai Personal Branding Pesantren Dalam Perspektif Public Relation (Humas).” Fikrotuna: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Manajemen Islam 7, no. 2 (December 2018): 891–903. https://doi.org/10.32806/jf.v8i2.3287.

Halil, Hermanto. “Islamic Boarding Schools as Learning Organizations: Integrating Tradition and Digital Innovation in Student Leadership Development.” Fikri : Jurnal Kajian Agama, Sosial Dan Budaya 10, no. 2 (November 2025): 604–17. https://doi.org/10.25217/jf.v10i2.6661.

Halili, Mohammad, Ach Rizquha, and Hefniy Hefniy. “Branding Pesantren Preuner Dalam Memperkuat Identitas Kelembagaan.” Jumpa : Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan 1, no. 2 (December 2020). https://doi.org/10.33650/jumpa.v1i2.5376.

Holt, Douglas B. How Brands Become Icons: The Principles of Cultural Branding. United States of America: Harvard Business Press, 2004.

Janati, Firda. “Menag Sebut Ponpes di Indonesia Capai 42.369, Semua Dikelola Swasta.” KOMPAS.com, October 14, 2025. https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2025/10/14/13182941/menag-sebut-ponpes-di-indonesia-capai-42369-semua-dikelola-swasta.

Jannah, Rikhul. “Santri di Pesantren adalah Anak Bangsa yang Harus Dapat Perhatian Negara.” NU Online, NU Online, Oktober 2025. https://www.nu.or.id/nasional/santri-di-pesantren-adalah-anak-bangsa-yang-harus-dapat-perhatian-negara-CSghX.

Jones, Gareth R. Organizational Theory, Design and Change. 5th ed. New Jersey: Pearsons, 2007.

Kotler, Philip, and Gary M. Armstrong. Principles of Marketing. Essex, England: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2012.

Miles, Matthew B., A. Michael Huberman, and Johnny Saldana. Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook. USA: SAGE Publications, 2014.

Montoya, Peter, and Tim Vandehey. The Brand Called You: Make Your Business Stand Out in a Crowded Marketplace. New York: McGraw Hill, 2009.

Sopian, Asep, Maman Abdurahman, Mad ’Ali, Yusuf Ali Tantowi, Ani Nur Aeni, and Hikmah Maulani. “Arabic Language Learning in a Multicultural Context at Pesantren.” Jurnal Pendidikan Islam 11, no. 1 (June 2025): 77–89. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v11i1.44104.

Suwendi, Suwendi, Cipta Gama, Muhammad Farabi, Farkhan Fuady, and Arman Arman. “Roles and Challenges of Pesantren Intellectual Networks.” Jurnal Ilmiah Islam Futura 24, no. 2 (August 2024): 453–70. https://doi.org/10.22373/jiif.v24i2.23134.

Tamimy, Muhamad Fadhol. Sharing-mu, Personal Branding-mu: Menampilkan Image Diri dan Karakter di Media Sosial. Jakarta Selatan: VisiMedia, 2017.

Tayeb, Azmil. “Pondok Education, Public Discourse, and Cultural Pluralism in Malaysia and Indonesia.” In Southeast Asian Islam. Routledge India, 2024.

Downloads

Published

31-12-2025

How to Cite

Arwani, R. (2025). Pesantren and Scholarly Works: A Literacy Ethos as the Brand Culture of Pesantren. Journal of Pesantren and Diniyah Studies, 2(2), 101 – 112 . https://doi.org/10.63245/jpds.v2i2.51