Transformation of Javanese Women’s Role From Domestic to Artistic: Interpretation of Kothékan Lesung

Abstract

Abstract
There is a paradoxical phenomenon related to the role of women in Javanese culture. First, the domestic role found in many proverbs is sexism, and second, the artistic role is evidenced by the presence of female musicians on strategic artistic industrial stages. This article aims to demonstrate the significant transformation in the cultural role of Javanese women that will be explored through an interpretation of kothèkan lesung. This research uses an interpretative qualitative method. Qualitative data was obtained from fieldwork studies on the kothèkan lesung performance in Turi Village, Magetan, East Java. Qualitative data collection was conducted by using techniques such as observation, interviews, documentation, and literature study. Data analysis was carried out using an interpretation approach. The expansion, a form of transformation of roles that occur can be divided into three phases, namely: 1) domestic role 2) aesthetic domestic role, and 3) artistic role. The result shows that kothèkan lesung which is a part of domestic roles "Masak, Macak, Manak" is a manifestation of artistic concepts. Thus, the domestic role of Javanese women in household life can also be translated into other forms such as "Composing, Decorating, and Creating." It is not surprising that nowadays there are emerging female Javanese musicians who are adorning the performance stage in Indonesia and even on the international scene, as culturally, this artistic role has been constructed in such a way.



Author Information
Dea Lunny Primamona, The Indonesia Institute of the Arts Surakarta, Indonesia
Bambang Sunarto, The Indonesia Institute of the Arts Surakarta, Indonesia
Nyak Ina Raseuki, Jakarta Arts Institute, Indonesia
Budi Setiyono, The Indonesia Institute of the Arts Surakarta, Indonesia

Paper Information
Conference: IICAH2025
Stream: Arts - Performing Arts Practices: Theater

This paper is part of the IICAH2025 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Primamona D., Sunarto B., Raseuki N., & Setiyono B. (2025) Transformation of Javanese Women’s Role From Domestic to Artistic: Interpretation of Kothékan Lesung ISSN: 2432-4604 – The IAFOR International Conference on Arts & Humanities – Hawaii 2025 Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 267-280) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2432-4604.2025.23
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2432-4604.2025.23


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Posted by James Alexander Gordon