JUSPI (Jurnal Sejarah Peradaban Islam)
Vol 9, No 2 (2026)

Tracking Javanese Traditional Arts in North Sumatra 1900-1930s

Darini, Ririn (Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta)
Setiawan, Nanang (Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta)
Zara, Muhammad Yuanda (Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta)
Murdiyastomo, Agus (Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta)



Article Info

Publish Date
05 Jan 2026

Abstract

Until now, several traditional Javanese arts such as ketoprak, horse braids, and wayang orang can be found in North Sumatra. This research aims to find out why and how Javanese traditional art can develop in this region. The method used in this research is a historical method which includes 4 research stages, namely heuristics, criticism, interpretation and historiography. The research results show that traditional Javanese art has been present in North Sumatra since the colonial era because of Javanese migrants who were employed on foreign plantations. They brought with them Javanese cultural heritage in the form of performing arts, such as gamelan, ketoprak, wayang orang, and dances. This traditional art was deliberately given a place by plantation entrepreneurs to make their workers feel at home. In its development, this traditional art not only functions as a form of entertainment and expression of cultural identity, but also as a tool to maintain collective spirit and solidarity amidst harsh and often unfair working conditions.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Social Sciences

Description

JUSPI (Jurnal Sejarah Peradaban Islam) publishes scientific articles in the fields of historical, social and humanities. JUSPI invites academics to publish their research articles, especially historical, social and humanities studies with Islamic themes, for example about Islamic groups or ...