Harpang Yudha Karyawanto, Widodo, Aris Wahyudi, Agus Cahyono
This study focuses on the urgency of understanding humor in Jemblung Murtadho's performing arts as a creative strategy in maintaining the relevance of traditional arts in the modern era. Humor in this performance not only serves as entertainment but also as a medium for conveying social criticism and strengthening the bond between performers and audiences. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyze the function of humor in strengthening cultural experiences and its contribution to preserving traditional art. The research method used is qualitative research with a descriptive approach, which includes direct observation, in-depth interviews with expert sources such as Imam Prasaja and Muryadi, and text analysis of the Jemblung Murtadho performance. This study involves an analysis of the interaction between entertainers and audiences, as well as how humor is used to convey social and cultural messages. The findings of this study indicate that the employment of humor in the Jemblung Murtadho performance serves as a pivotal mechanism that fosters a nexus between tradition and modernity. Moreover, it is observed that the integration of humor, when presented with a sense of novelty and innovation, enables this traditional art form to maintain its pertinence among younger demographics. Concurrently, this approach provides an avenue for more profound social contemplation. The discourse reveals that the utilization of humor as a creative approach effectively enhances the cultural experience, fosters a sense of proximity between performers and audience, and facilitates more open social discourse on sensitive societal issues. Consequently, this study substantiates the assertion that humor is not solely a tool for entertainment but also a potent medium for preservation and innovation in traditional art. Copyright (c) 2025 The Authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia; Institut Seni Indonesia Yogyakarta, Indonesia
