TARI JAIPONGAN KAWUNG ANTEN: REPRESENTASI NILAI BUDAYA DALAM CERITA RAKYAT

Abstract

Kawung Anten Dance is one of the Jaipongan dances created by Gugum Gumbira, inspired by a
West Javanese folklore figure, Nyimas Kawung Anten. The background of this research lies in the
importance of understanding traditional dance not merely as a performing art, but also as a medium
for transmitting cultural values and local knowledge. However, along with the development of modern
times and globalization, people’s understanding of the symbolic meanings and local wisdom
embedded in this dance has diminished. This study aims to describe the symbolic meanings of
Kawung Anten Dance movements and to reveal their relation to the cultural values contained in
folklore. The research employed a qualitative method with an ethnographic approach, supported by
Stuart Hall’s theory of representation, which includes reflective, intentional, and constructionist
perspectives. Data were collected through observations, performances, interviews with artists and
cultural figures, as well as relevant literature studies. The findings show that the movements in
Kawung Anten Dance represent values of struggle, resilience, beauty, and Sundanese identity. This
symbolism aligns with the moral messages embedded in folklore, making Kawung Anten Dance a
medium of cultural education. Thus, this dance plays a vital role in strengthening local knowledge
and preserving Sundanese cultural heritage.
Keywords: Jaipongan Dance, Kawung Anten, Cultural Representation, Folklore.