Kajian Semiotika Tradisi Lisan Penganjak Kuda Sitajur dalam Iringan Kulcapi pada Masyarakat Karo

Abstract

The study examines the oral tradition of "Penganjak Kuda Sitajur," prevalent in the Karo community, with a focus on the semiotics of narrative and the role of the musical instrument kulcapi as a supporting medium in storytelling. This tradition reflects the cultural, social, and religious values of the Karo community through the heroic tales of the Sitajur character, narrated musically. Using a qualitative approach with ethnographic methods, the research relies on primary data from interviews, observations, and direct documentation in the field. The semiotic theories of Jacques Derrida and Roland Barthes are employed to decode denotative, connotative, and mythical meanings conveyed in this tradition. The findings reveal that "Penganjak Kuda Sitajur" is not merely an oral narrative but a cultural expression imbued with values of character education and local wisdom. The kulcapi plays a vital role in enhancing emotional depth and narrative structure, making this tradition unique among other forms of oral traditions. The study highlights that despite changes in form and medium, the essence and moral messages of the tradition remain preserved and continuously revitalized by the Karo society.