ARBITRATIONAL RELATIONSHIP OF SIGNS IN THE LOCAL TRADITION OF SELAPANAN IN NGELANGGERAN TOURIST VILLAGE SEMIOTIC STUDY OF ROLAND BARTHES

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the arbitrary relationship of signs in the local tradition of Selapanan in Nalanggeran Tourism Village through Roland Barthes's semiotic approach. The Selapanan tradition, which is part of the local culture in Nalanggeran, involves various symbols and signs in its implementation, such as traditional clothing, food, and ritual objects. With a semiotic approach, this study examines how symbolic meanings in the tradition are formed through arbitrary relationships between signifiers (physical signs) and signifieds (meanings produced by the community). This study uses a qualitative method with data collection techniques in the form of participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and visual documentation. The data obtained were analyzed using Barthes's semiotic theory to deconstruct the symbols in the Selapanan tradition, as well as to understand how these signs shape the cultural identity of the Nalanggeran community. The results of the study show that although the symbols in the Selapanan tradition seem to have fixed meanings, these meanings are actually socially formed and can change according to context. In addition, this study also found the influence of modernity and tourism on the meaning of symbols in tradition, and how the Nalanggeran community tries to maintain the meaning of the original culture despite changes due to globalization. This study contributes to the understanding of the dynamics of preserving local culture amidst the flow of modernity and the influence of tourism.