TRADITION IN TRANSITION: UNVEILING SOCIAL REALITIES AND LOWER-CLASS OPPRESSION IN THE FILM NYUMBANG

Abstract

The tradition of Nyumbang has long functioned as a social safety net within Javanese society. However, modernity has transformed the essence of Nyumbang, a shift clearly portrayed in the film Nyumbang. This study investigates how the film captures the evolving discourse of Nyumbang and its changing meaning over time. By employing Foucauldian Discourse Analysis (FDA), the research examines how the film utilises discourse as a tool for both knowledge and power, thereby revealing underlying shifts in societal dynamics. This approach uniquely uncovers the interplay between power structures and cultural practices, aspects that might be overlooked by other methodologies. The analysis identifies both dominant and counter-discourses, particularly through the narratives and dialogues of the characters. Notably, characters from lower social strata challenge traditional Nyumbang practice, signalling the emergence of counter-discourse. The dominant discourse portrays Nyumbang as a social obligation enforced by prevailing cultural norms, while the counter- discourse advocates for reevaluating this practice in light of modern societal values. The study concludes that the film Nyumbang effectively addresses the complexities of maintaining tradition amidst the significant societal changes brought on by modernity, including the tensions between traditional expectations and the reality of economic reciprocity.

Keywords

• foucauldian discourse analysis
• representation
• lower-class society
• montase film
• nyumbang