The Revitalization of Values of Cultural Precepts in Traditional Javanese Arts

Abstract

The perspective of the study focuses on the discovery of national identity as a capital for competing in a global arena. Revitalization of values of cultural precepts to discover the national identity is an attempt to find out the Indonesian Javanese cultural identity. The present study aims at (1) finding out the cultural precepts manifested in traditional Javanese arts and (2) explaining that Javanese artifacts are the society’s cultural expressions with their underlying philosophy. To achieve its objectives, methods or research procedures of a qualitative research using cultural approach, which refers to the Javanese precepts in accordance with Javanese philosophy, are required. The approach employed in this research emphasizes on data interpretation and case particularity. The study indicates that, firstly, the revitalization of the values of Javanese precepts includes the society’s cultural expressions. The precepts involve society’s perspectives which emphasize on inner peace, harmony and balance, along with an attitude of Narima (a Javanese expression of one’s acceptance of his fate) by placing individuals under society and the society under the universe (cosmic relationship). Those who can live in harmony with themselves will also be able to live in harmony with societies and God, as well as to live life well. Secondly, the cultural precepts manifested in traditional Javanese arts enable to establish the national identity to compete in the global arena. In other words, to cope with the globalization, individuals should be able to find out their own identity as Indonesian humans by exploring, examining, and cultivating potentials of local culture plurality as a capital to strive in the global arena.

Keywords: cultural precepts, traditional arts, national identity, coping with globalization