Kethek Ogleng (Traditional Performing Art) as the Cultural Identity Manifestation of Mataram Javanese Society in East Java Indonesia

Oleh: Agoes Hendriyanto, Arif Mustofa, Bakti Sutopo

Recently, researchers have shown an increased interest in Indonesian local wisdom issues including folk art. This case is due to young people who tend to like a popular culture compared to the local culture. There has been a great deal of challenges to folk art as a cultural heritage  such as Kethek  Ogleng Dance. As a local culture, it must be preserved in this technology and new style of liberalism period within various prosperity, convenience and comfort. It is going to affect the economy, culture, and environment.

The reasons are due to: (1) Pacitan original culture which contains philosophical values, local wisdom, and ecological intelligence; (2) the unique performing art; (3) 57 years old existence; (4) easy to learn because their movements only consist of the six sequential or unsequential main movements. Therefore, the research aimed at revealing Kethek Ogleng on the following issues: (1) as the cultural identity, 2) as the cultural pride, and 3) its implications to creative industries, cultural festivals and cultural tourism.

Further, Kethek Ogleng as the cultural identity in preserving culture is related to togetherness, cooperation, discipline, environmental love. Kethek Ogleng as cultural identity in cultural preservation is about values ​​deeply rooted in society as guidelines in behaving and interacting with nature. It is due to negative influences from neo-liberalism life which exploits nature; as a consequence, regardless of the nature preservation.

Additionally, Kethek Ogleng is as the cultural pride as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2019, as one of the Pacitan Cultural icons, participating Surabaya Cross Culture International Folk and Art Festival 2019, as local content and source of learning materials in elementary schools. Thus, the Kethek Ogleng art is expected to have implications for local wisdom identity through creative industries, cultural festivals, and cultural tourism.

Kethek Ogleng Cultural Festival held on October 19, 2019, is expected to become a cultural and tourism festival. In another point, the festival will bring both domestic and international tourists potency to drive the creative economy of the society including souvenir industry, food, parking, culinary, cosmetology, costumes, lodging, agricultural products, photography, and Youtuber which are then increasing the people’s economic creativity.

Keywords: Kethek Ogleng, Cultural Pride, Cultural Identity, Creative Industry