Transformasi Musik Gondrang Sipitu-Pitu pada Masyarakat Simalungun

Abstract

This study examines the process of transformation and adaptation of gondrang sipitu-pitu music in the Simalungun society in response to social, cultural, and technological dynamics. Gondrang sipitu-pitu music, which originally functioned as a medium of ritual and spiritual communication in the context of Simalungun customs, underwent significant changes in musical structure, social function, and presentation style due to the entry of religion, modernization, and foreign cultural influences. The research uses a descriptive qualitative method with a phenomenological approach, and is supported by Margaret Kartomi's theory of transformation and adaptation, Jeff Todd Titon's theory of musical style, and William F. Ogburn's theory of socio-cultural change. The findings show that although modern instruments are starting to shift the dominance of traditional instruments, important elements such as rhythm, saruni melodies, and ensemble structures are still retained. The musical style that is formed reflects the creative adaptation of traditional artists to the demands of contemporary performance spaces. However, this transformation cannot be separated from critical problems such as the loss of sacred meaning, the pressure of modern aesthetics, and the tendency to commodify local culture. The change in the function of gondrang from a spiritual rite to a popular entertainment leaves questions about the authenticity and sustainability of cultural values. Therefore, this transformation needs to be understood not only as an adaptive process, but also as an arena for contesting meaning, identity, and cultural power in the Simalungun society.