DARI RELIGI KE BUDAYA: PERGESERAN MAKNA KESENIAN GAJAH-GAJAHAN DI DESA BANCAR BUNGKAL PONOROGO 1986-2020

Abstract

This study aims to: first, analyze the background of the emergence of gajah-gajahan art in Bancar Ponorogo; and second, analyze the changes in the meaning and performance of gajah-gajahan art in Bancar Ponorogo. Research method, using a historical method consisting of heuristics, namely by conducting source searches using interviews, observations and documentation. The next stage is source criticism, interpretation, and the last is historiography. Based on the results of the research can be known gajah-gajahan art is an original art of Ponorogo that appeared around 1965. This art has an existence that almost resembles the art of reyog. The gajah-gajahan art were created because of the political power struggle in ponorogo won by the communist party so as to make reyog synonymous with communists, therefore the students in Ponorogo tried to create a new art that is more islamic. One of the conservationists of this art is located in Nglodo, Bancar village, Bungkal, Ponorogo regency. The gajah-gajahan art appeared in bancar village in 1986, which was originally created for religious purposes, and now transformed into a cultural element created purely for the entertainment needs of the community. The shift in meaning occurred because the surrounding community wanted to create art that has a more modern character but still on its identity. A change that is seen one of them is the presence of singers and female dancers accompanied by a new phenomenon that is “saweran” given by the audience to female singers and dancers.

Keywords: Shift of meaning, Gajah-Gajahan Art, Religion, Culture.