Local Wisdom of the Begalan Tradition in Traditional Weddings: Insights from Banyumas-Central Java Indonesia

Abstract

This study delves into the Begalan performing arts, a cultural tradition in Banyumas Regency associated with weddings. It aims to identify the forms of begalan performing arts in Karangsari Village, Kebasen District, Banyumas Regency, Central Java, unravel the symbolic meanings of the began tradition in traditional marriages and establish the values of traditional ethics education Begalan. The research employed qualitative methods with case studies involving data collection through observations, interviews, and documentation. It interviewed community leaders, brides and grooms as well as Begalan actors and was carried out in Karangsari Village, Kebasen District, Banyumas Regency, Central Java. The findings reveal performance time, sequence, and Begalan accompaniment as well as symbolic meanings of the properties, such as dian (Javanese traditional light), ilir (wind source useful for cooling rice), kukusan (tool for steaming rice), pedaringan (crate for storing rice), layah, muthu, irus, siwur (dipper), beras (rice), wangkring (a carrying device made of bamboo called a bamboo rope.), sapu sada (lidi broom), suket (java grass), cething (Javanese utensil), daun salam (Indonesian bay-leaf), and tampah (winnowing tray) and in the song lyrics which contain advice for the wedding couple. The Begalan tradition is steeped in intricate symbolism and multifaceted meanings, contributing to the realm of community ethics education. The Begalan tradition, embedded in Javanese ethics and customs, imparts several local wisdom values, including community ethics, harmony, self-control, saving, and respect. These values are essential for a harmonious marital life and broader social interactions.

The Folklore’s Functions of Gunung Gamping in Indonesia: A Geomythological Exploration

“…The finding that the Gunung Gamping folklore has a projection function is in line with research (Nurchotimah et al, 2023) which analyzes the Begalan tradition in Banyumas, the sharing common of these two studies is that, from the tradition that takes place, there is a philosophical function of each stage passed, in this case the hope function of the tradition actors.…”