Using social media for preserving the Javanese traditional arts: Adaptation strategy of Sobokartti in the Millenial Era

Abstract

This research focuses on the efforts of a Javanese dance sanggar (studio or training house for Javanese Dance), Sobokartti, that was established in the early twentieth century in maintaining the existence of Javanese traditional performing arts. Amidst the storming cultural menu offered by technology facilitation, traditional performing art faces difficult challenges. The concern that the traditional performing art will be shifted by cultures that are considered more modern is inevitable and indeed proven in line with the course of globalization. The existence of traditional performing art was worrisome when Covid-19 pandemic emerged that restricted people’s movement throughout the world. This research used qualitative method by emphasizing observation during online and offline performances. Observation was also performed by visiting social media accounts that were related to Sobokartti. This research attempted to answer two questions. First, how does Sobokartti maintain its existence during the Covid-19 pandemic; and Second, how does Sobokartti adapt to the advancement of technology in the globalization era. The results of this research show that Sobokartti successfully maintained its existence, among others, due to its adaptive management system to changes through times and the awareness of performing innovations in training and promotional activities. Finally, social media have become one of the media used by Sobokartti in preserving Javanese traditional performing arts, especially Javanese dance. The use of social media for promotion media has succeeded in maintaining Sobokartti as an institution for preserving the traditional Javanese arts.