<![CDATA[This study examines Karapan Kerbau, a traditional water buffalo race in East Lombok, as a cultural symbol reflecting the values and identity of the local community. Employing a qualitative methodology, the research utilizes Roland Barthes’ semiotic theory as its analytical framework. The analysis centers on the symbolic meanings within the Karapan Kerbau tradition, addressing denotative and connotative interpretations as well as the societal myths that emerge. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation, and subsequently analyzed through data reduction, presentation, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicate that Karapan Kerbau serves not only as a traditional race but also as a cultural representation embodying masculinity, courage, prestige, solidarity, and social identity. At the denotative level, Karapan Kerbau is characterized as a race involving a pair of buffaloes, each guided by a jockey along a muddy track. Connotatively, the tradition signifies the social status of buffalo owners, collective pride, and the community’s connection to agrarian life. At the mythic level, Karapan Kerbau operates as a cultural narrative that reinforces social harmony, local wisdom, and the preservation of ancestral traditions. Consequently, Karapan Kerbau functions as a dynamic cultural text that continually constructs and reproduces social meanings within East Lombok society.]]>
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