Revitalization of the traditional values lost due to the commodification of art/crafts: a case study of Bataknese traditional Ulos

ABSTRACT

The dynamics of modernization in Bataknese community, supported by various factors, led to the desacralization of traditions. This desacralization is due to the commodification of its cultural elements, among them the crafts of ulos. The existence of traditional ulos relates to religious life and is a manifestation of the Bataknese theology. The existence of Bataknese culture is strongly supported by the existence of ulos, which is the actualization of the ‘dalihan na tolu’ kinship system. Traditionally, the use of ulos in the community is governed by custom, according to the type, form, function and meaning. However, the commodification of ulos has caused inconsistencies in its development, so it is feared that this would obscure the values of tradition, which should be preserved. This paper discusses the revitalization efforts that can be conducted by the stakeholders of the craft of ulos: community, business, and government.

KEYWORDS:

• Batak
• revitalization
• the values of tradition
• commodification
• Ulos
• art/craft

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. Vergouwen, Masyarakat dan Hukum Adat Batak Toba.

2. Siregar, Ulos dalam Tata Cara Adat dan Batak, 1.

3. Fabriane, “Ada Ulos, Ada Batak”, 11.

4. Piliang, Hipersemiotika, Tafsir Cultural Studies atas Matinya Makna, 17–33.

5. Maunati, Identitas Dayak (Komodifikasi dan Politik Kebudayaan), 245.

6. Berger, Capitalist Revolution, 21.

7. Barker, Cultural Studies, 517.

8. Pitana and Gayatri, Kajian Sosiologis Terhadap Struktur, Sistem dan Dampak-Dampak Pariwisata, 96.

Additional information

Funding

This research is not supported by any funding.

Notes on contributors

Zulkifli

Zulkifli Zulkifli is a researcher and lecturer at State University of Medan (UNIMED) for Regional Art in Language and Art Faculty in Indonesia. Currently, he has projects such as “Creating Various Art-Craft based on Ancient of North Sumatera Utara, ‘Developing the Design of Art-Craft to Map the Tourist Objects’, and others.

Muhammad Ridwan

Muhammad Ridwan is a lecturer in English Department, Tarbiyah Faculty, State Islamic University of North Sumatera (UINSU), Medan, Indonesia. Email: [email protected].