The Impact of Language Proficiency on The Exitence and Shift of Cultural Values in Jaranan Kepang: A Study in Bandar Khalifah, Deli Serdang

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of Javanese language proficiency on the continued existence and shifting cultural values of the Jaranan Kepang tradition in the transmigrant community of Bandar Khalifah Village, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra. A qualitative case study design was employed, involving 18 purposively selected informants comprising cultural elders, performers, youth, and community leaders. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, then analyzed using the Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña interactive model. The results reveal that Jaranan Kepang acts as a critical vessel for Javanese cultural values such as gotong royong, spiritual resilience, and hierarchical respect. However, an intergenerational decline in Javanese language proficiency—particularly in krama (high register) and ritual-specific lexicons—directly impedes the transmission of esoteric values and mantras, leading to a secularization and simplification of the performance. The shift from Javanese to Indonesian as the primary language of instruction and daily communication has rendered many younger performers mere imitators of physical movements, devoid of the underlying philosophical and spiritual meanings, thus threatening the tradition's authenticity. The erosion of linguistic competence accelerates the shift of Jaranan Kepang from a sacred, value-laden ritual to a profane, entertainment-oriented spectacle. The research emphasizes the urgent need for community-based language revitalization integrated with cultural transmission to safeguard the holistic integrity of this intangible heritage