Presentation Schedule
From Gandrung Lanang to Female Performers: Gender Transformation and Cultural Meaning in Banyuwangi’s Gandrung Dance (96275)
Session Chair: Rezika Ardia Dinda Arrini
Friday, 7 November 2025 15:15
Session: Session 4
Room: Room C (4F)
Presentation Type:Oral Presentation
Banyuwangi is known for its rich heritage of traditional arts and culture. One of the cultural art icons that has endured since the colonial era is the Gandrung dance. In the early 20th century, men performed this in a tradition known as Gandrung Lanang. Initially, the dance served as a gathering space for anti-colonial fighters. However, over time, due to evolving social dynamics, the dance began to be performed by women and became an integral part of ceremonies, rituals, and annual cultural festivals. This study examines the gender transformation in Gandrung dance, focusing on interpreting visual signs such as the dancer’s body, costume, expression, and movement within the cultural context. A qualitative method was employed, using Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis to examine the denotative, connotative, and mythological meanings embedded in the gender role shift. Data were collected through triangulation techniques, including in-depth interviews with two local cultural actors, document analysis, and video observation. The findings reveal that the feminization of Gandrung dancers is not merely a practical change but carries ideological meaning, reflecting the interplay between tradition and modernity. The female body on the Gandrung stage has become a symbolic medium, rich in identity construction and aesthetic expectations, while also adapting to the demands of cultural tourism and the global market. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of gender dynamics in traditional performing arts as a space for the dynamic production of meaning in response to social change.
Authors:
Defrimont Era, Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia
Novi Kurnia, Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia
Mutia Nurul Makhfirah, Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia
About the Presenter(s)
I am currently a master's student at Gadjah Mada University, passionate about Communication Studies and technology.
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