SOCIOCULTURAL SYMBOL IN TENGGER MASK PUPPET SHOW

Abstract

Tengger community has traditional art, namely Tengger mask puppet show, which has a
distinctive characteristic. Before the performance is started, the puppeteer calls Bethara
Kala’s spirit to posses the users of Bethara Kala mask body, here is Mr. Sutama’s body. The
purpose of this study is to identify and to describe some socio-cultural symbols in Tengger
mask puppet show by using qualitative method. The data sources of this research are Tengger
mask puppet show in Wonokerso Village, Sumber District, proboling go Regency. The
researcher collects the data by observation, interview, recording and taking notes techniques.
Then, the data are analyzed objectively by using hermeneutic analysis techniques.
Tengger mask puppet show contains many sociocultural symbols reflecting socio-cultural
aspects of Tengger people; forests; mountains; wild animals; fertile agricultural crops;
animism believed by Tengger people, such as their ancestors’ spirits, and gods; and
dynamism such as haunted places inhabited by holy figures; such as Peak of B-29 are
considered to be the hermitage of Bathara Kala, Mount Kapur as Semar's hermitage, Mount
Bromo as Prince Kusuma's hermitage, and Mount Semeru as Lembu Mahameru's hermitage.