Journal of Language, Literature, and Educational Research
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): June

Pesugihan as a Cultural Belief System in Contemporary Indonesian Drama

Afrianti, Putry (Unknown)
Matugu, Beth N (Unknown)
Kiyan, Ali Daneshvar (Unknown)
Firuza, Toreba (Unknown)
Milad, Abdurahman Ahmed Ali (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
22 Feb 2026

Abstract

Purpose of the study: This study aims to examine the cultural representation of pesugihan in the drama script Pesugihan Nayan Tula by Afrion using a literary anthropology approach to reveal embedded cultural values, belief systems, and socio-cultural structures reflected in the narrative Methodology: This study employed a qualitative descriptive method using a literary anthropology approach. The primary data source was the 2016 published drama script by Laboratorium Sastra Medan. Data were collected through documentation techniques and analyzed using cultural category frameworks based on Koentjaraningrat’s anthropological theory and Ratna’s literary anthropology perspective. Main Findings: The findings reveal that pesugihan is represented as a cultural belief system rooted in animism, ritual practices, myth, and social structure. The script portrays traditional systems including religious beliefs, ritual offerings, supernatural agreements, and socio-cultural conflicts reflecting moral deviation and community value transformation. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study offers a focused literary anthropology analysis on pesugihan within modern Indonesian drama, integrating classical anthropological theory with contemporary literary text analysis. It advances cultural-literary studies by contextualizing mystical economic practices as structured cultural phenomena within dramatic narrative discourse.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

JoLLE

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences Other

Description

Journal of Language, Literature, and Educational Research is a scientific journal published by Cahaya Ilmu Cendekia Publisher. This journal distributes papers based on studies and literature reviews in Indonesian, Regional, and Foreign Education for primary, secondary, senior, and higher education. ...