Ethnography of Thruthuk as Identity of Cultural Arts in Semarang City – Indonesia

Abstract

This research investigated Thrutuk, a traditional art from Semarang. Thrutuk is an art that started from the habits of the ancient Semarang people which is small-talk then came up with the idea of doing theatrics with patrol equipment which is Kenthongan. This research aims to describe cultural values, symbol system, thrutuk performance pattern, then studied about relevance to the character of Semarang’s people. This research used Clifford Geertz’s symbolic interpretative theory that culture is a value system, knowledge system, and symbol system. This type of research is qualitative research using an ethnographic approach and supported by quantitative data. The data used were obtained through interviews with artists, cultural observers, the government, as well as data in the form of articles discussing Javanese culture, Semarangan art, and art as identity. Data collection methods in the form of interviews, discussion group forums, observations, literature, and supported by qualitative data in the form of questionnaires. The analysis was conducted by interpreting data of researches (observations, interviews, and secondary data) in the context of socio-cultural weaknesses concerning the value systems and patterned action systems of the community concerned. The report form used is a descriptive analysis report. The results of the research are: cultural values reflecting coastal culture; symbol system that characterizes coastal Javanese culture; truthuk performance pattern consists of two forms; simple form and traditional form. As well as relevance to the culture of the Semarang people.

Keywords: Truthuk Semarang; Traditional Art; Identity; Symbolic Interpretative; Etnography.