KOMODIFIKASI BARONGSAI MENJAGA TRADISI MENEGOSIASI PASAR

Abstract

After the fall of the Soeharto regime was like the fresh air for the ethnic Chinese in Indonesia in articulating cultural identities, especially after the issuance of Presidential decree Number 6 of 2000 which revoked Presidential Instruction Number 14 of 1967 on religion, beliefs, and customs of China. With that Presidential decree, Chinese people were free to celebrate the religious ceremony and customs, as well as featuring Barongsai (Lion Dance) in front of public. Consequently, Barongsai became popular and transformed into a cultural icon as well as “obligatory menu” for city event. Barongsai allegedly underwent commodification along with its popularity. However, that signal was responded by Barongsai activists as the consequence of efforts to survive and conquer the market. Through the mindset of yin and yang, commodification discourse is abrogated and appropriated by Barongsai activists, so commodification is not just an effort to maintain and preserve the ancestral cultural heritage, identity, and cultural pride due to the accomplishments achieved

Keywords

• barongsai
• commodification
• yin and yang.