The Transformation of Ritual Practices "Ludruk" in East Java: Digital Adaptation and Cultural Sustainability in the 21st Century

Abstract

This study investigates the transformation of Ludruk's ritual practices in East Java, focusing on its digital adaptation and implications for cultural sustainability in the 21st century. As a traditional folk theatre rich in symbolic rituals, Ludruk faces significant challenges from modernization and shifting audience preferences. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this research combines quantitative surveys with 250 respondents and qualitative interviews with 15 key informants, including veteran artists, cultural managers, and digital content creators. Quantitative data analysis reveals that while digital exposure significantly boosts awareness (χ²=45.32, p<0.001), its impact on deep cultural understanding and sustainability intent is moderated by factors like age and prior engagement. Qualitative findings identify three primary adaptation models: archival digitization, live-streamed performances, and interactive social media content. The discussion argues that digital adaptation acts as a double-edged sword. It facilitates wider reach and new participatory modes, potentially commodifying ritual essence, yet also fosters innovative ritual reinvention that resonates with contemporary values. The study concludes that sustainable Ludruk preservation requires a hybrid strategy that leverages digital tools for accessibility while safeguarding the embodied, communal, and ritualistic core of the practice through community-based initiatives and intergenerational transmission. This research contributes to the discourse on intangible cultural heritage in the digital age, offering a framework for balancing technological innovation with authentic cultural continuity.