Yustia Atsanatrilova Adi

The Symbolic Power Behind Tradition: The Role of Pambiwara in Preserving Javanese Culture

Introduction

The symbolic power behind tradition: the role of pambiwara in preserving javanese culture. Explore the symbolic power of Pambiwara, traditional Javanese masters of ceremony in Surakarta, and their role in preserving cultural heritage. Learn how certificates confer legitimacy and prestige.

Abstract

This study explores the role of pambiwara, traditional masters of ceremony, in preserving Javanese cultural heritage in Surakarta, Indonesia. Using a qualitative approach with purposive sampling, in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 informants, including students, teachers, and members of pambiwara courses from September 2 to 15, 2024. The findings shown that pambiwara hold significant cultural authority, which emphasized by the symbolic power which symbolized by the certificate awarded upon course completion. This credential not only affirms mastery of ceremonial practices but elevates its holder’s status, allowing them to conduct important ceremonies like mitoni and weddings. Furthermore, based on Bourdieu theory of symbolism, the study reveals that the certificate confers legitimacy and social prestige, positioning pambiwara as custodians of Javanese cultural traditions. However, as younger generations show increasing interest, challenges in maintaining this exclusivity emerge, underscoring the need for adaptive training methods and formal recognition to ensure the longevity of this cultural practice.

Review

This study, "The Symbolic Power Behind Tradition: The Role of Pambiwara in Preserving Javanese Culture," provides a valuable and timely exploration into the intricate mechanisms of cultural preservation within the Javanese community of Surakarta. By focusing on *pambiwara*, the traditional masters of ceremony, the authors shed light on a vital component of intangible cultural heritage. The chosen qualitative approach, utilizing in-depth interviews with 15 informants from diverse backgrounds, is appropriate for unearthing the nuanced cultural authority and practices central to this role. This methodological foundation allows for a deep understanding of how these cultural custodians operate within their societal framework. A significant strength of the research lies in its theoretical grounding, effectively applying Bourdieu’s concept of symbolic power to explain the *pambiwara*'s societal standing. The findings powerfully illustrate how the certificate awarded upon course completion transcends a mere document, becoming a potent symbol of cultural capital that bestows legitimacy, elevates status, and grants the authority to preside over significant Javanese ceremonies like *mitoni* and weddings. This insight compellingly demonstrates how formal recognition, even within traditional contexts, functions to establish and maintain the esteemed position of *pambiwara* as guardians of Javanese cultural traditions, reinforcing the link between symbolic capital and the ongoing practice of heritage. While offering compelling insights, the stated data collection period (September 2 to 15, 2024) presents a notable anomaly, appearing as a future date and a very brief window for conducting comprehensive qualitative interviews, which could potentially limit the depth of the data collected. Nonetheless, the study accurately identifies critical challenges, particularly the tension between preserving the exclusivity of the *pambiwara* role and the growing interest from younger generations. The authors rightly advocate for adaptive training methods and formal recognition as essential steps to ensure the long-term viability of this cultural practice. Future work could build upon these recommendations by detailing practical frameworks for implementing such adaptive methods and investigating their effectiveness in fostering intergenerational transmission, thereby further strengthening the cultural continuity of the *pambiwara* tradition.

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