Sintren Dance, Women, and Power Contestation on the North Coast of Java

Sofa Marwah; Oktafiani Catur Pratiwi; Wita Ramadhanti

doi:10.35516/hum.v52i3.4272

Authors

Sofa Marwah Department of Political Science, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Indonesia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8164-4312
Oktafiani Catur Pratiwi Department of Political Science, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Indonesia. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3484-2444
Wita Ramadhanti Department of Accounting, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Indonesia. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5260-1762

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/hum.v52i3.4272

Keywords:

Sintren, power, women, ethnicity.

Abstract

Objectives: This paper aims to describe a traditional dance in the northern coastal region of Java and the local power dynamics that surround it. The existence of sintren, which resembles the role of women, is desirable for further study. Previous research on this topic has not been studied.

Methods: This research utilizes desk research supported by relevant references regarding the "sintren" dance based on research reports, records, Javanese literature, reference books, and others.

Results: Understanding the "sintren" dance is not sufficient by observing the twisting movements of the woman's body using all the dance costumes, but there are many aspects of the surrounding local power. Over time, the "sintren" has evolved significantly. Initially, the "sintren" was a means of narrating the love story of couples. Since then, women have taken on a leading role as dancers and mythical figures in the local community. With the development of society, the "sintren" has lived amidst ethnic diversity. Some groups do not perform it due to the mystical elements, while others perform it because the "sintren" serves in spreading noble values and aesthetics. The "sintren" exists amidst multicultural communities with diverse ethnicities. This is the competitive ability that cannot be avoided in the "sintren" and surrounds its development..

Conclusions: This research emphasizes the importance of making the "sintren" a shared property and considering it a valuable cultural heritage, therefore, preserving the "sintren" is necessary. At the same time, there is interest in recognizing the role of women in the development of the "sintren".

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