The Representation Of Mengkanau Cultural Identity In Central Bangka: A Stuart Hall Perspective

Abstract

This study aims to describe and analyze the representation of the cultural identity of the Mengkanau tribe in Namang Village, Central Bangka, through history, traditions, cultural symbols, and the traditional language, using Hall’s 1997 theory of representation. This study employs a qualitative descriptive method, with data collection techniques including field observation, interviews with traditional leaders, documentation, and a literature review. The collected data were analyzed thematically and interpretively. The results indicate that the Mengkanau people’s identity is shaped through oral narratives about their origins and the graves of ancestors such as Abok Pateh; the Murok Jerami tradition as a marker of cultural identity; symbols such as white clothing, the Cuken, and seven stalks of rice; and local terms such as ume, asok, and mengelo. This identity continues to be passed down to younger generations, even though some traditions have undergone changes, for example, the Taber Kampung ceremony is now rarely performed, and traditional houses now exist only as miniatures.