Strengthening the Collective Memory of Tanjungkarang Village Community in Kudus Regency on the Oral Tradition of Lentog Tanjung through the Digitalization of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Abstract

Lentog Tanjung is a traditional culinary heritage of Tanjungkarang Village, Kudus Regency, which embodies historical values and oral traditions (folklore) worth exploring. This culinary tradition reflects the community's identity and forms part of their collective memory, making its preservation crucial. However, modernization and lifestyle changes pose a risk of diminishing this tradition's existence, particularly among the younger generation. This community engagement project aims to strengthen the collective memory of Tanjungkarang Village residents regarding the oral tradition of Lentog Tanjung through a digitalization approach as a means of preserving intangible cultural heritage. The method employed is CBPAR (Community-Based Participatory Action Research), involving relevant stakeholders in a collaborative engagement process. The project consists of seven stages: preliminary study, material digitalization, creation of a digital platform, dissemination, evaluation, and monitoring. Digital technology was utilized to document the Lentog Tanjung oral tradition through videos, audio recordings, a website-based digital platform, and comics. Prior to the implementation of the engagement activities, research was conducted on the history and existence of Lentog Tanjung. The results indicate that digitalizing oral traditions can strengthen community connections with their cultural heritage, particularly among younger generations, and enhance community awareness of the importance of preserving local traditions through modern technology. Digitalization appears to be a promising method for documenting and disseminating the Lentog Tanjung oral tradition, thus prolonging its lifespan amidst globalizations. This project contributes to the development of local cultural preservation strategies through innovative, technology-based approaches.