Yudhistira Oscar Olendo, Wadiyo, Martono, Widodo, Syahrul Syah Sinaga, Jagad Aditya Dewantara
This study provides an in-depth examination of the cultural identity challenges faced by the Dayak Kanayatn community as the existence of their traditional music declines under the pressures of globalization and cultural modernization. Amid rapid social change, conventional music is a form of entertainment and a vital medium for maintaining the continuity of ancestral values and strengthening social cohesion within the Indigenous community. The primary aim of this research is to explore how traditional music operates as a cultural practice that shapes, reinforces, and sustains the collective identity of the Dayak Kanayatn people in a globalized context. Employing a qualitative phenomenological approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and documentation of traditional musical practices, with triangulation applied to ensure data validity. The findings reveal that melodies, lyrics, and traditional instruments such as agukng and dau serve dual functions: as aesthetic expressions and as means of spiritual communication and intergenerational transmission of customary values. Although conventional music has transformed in form and meaning due to global influences, it continues to preserve its deep cultural essence and plays a vital role in reinforcing collective identity. These findings provide valuable insight into the Indigenous communities’ resilience, creativity, and adaptability in navigating cultural globalization. © 2026 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Education of Arts, Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia; Performance Art Education, Universitas Tanjungpura, Pontianak, Indonesia; Departement of Indonesia Language, Universitas Tanjungpura, Pontianak, Indonesia; Departement of Civic Education, Pontianak, Universitas Tanjungpura, Pontianak, Indonesia
