Metaphor Analysis of Cirebon Traditional Songs in the Sintren Ritual
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Background: Sintren is a traditional ritual performance originating from the northern coastal region of Java, particularly in the Cirebon area, combining elements of dance, music, and spiritual belief. The traditional songs performed during the sintren ritual contain linguistic expressions that often carry metaphorical meanings reflecting the sociocultural, historical, and spiritual values of the Cirebon community.
Objective: This study aims to identify and analyze the conceptual metaphors found in three traditional Cirebon songs performed during the sintren ritual, namely Terap Banda, Turun Sintren, and Jala Tangi, using the framework of Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT).
Method: This research employs a qualitative descriptive approach. The data consist of song lyrics from the three selected sintren songs, which were collected through documentation techniques. The lyrics were analyzed through close reading and interpreted using Conceptual Metaphor Theory to identify source domains, target domains, and metaphorical mappings embedded in the songs.
Findings and Implications: The analysis reveals that each song contains distinct metaphorical constructions rooted in the sociocultural context of the Cirebon community. These findings demonstrate that traditional songs function not only as ritual accompaniment but also as cultural narratives encoding historical memory, identity, and resistance.
Conclusion: The study confirms that conceptual metaphors play a crucial role in constructing meaning in traditional Cirebon sintren songs. Metaphor serves as a cognitive and cultural mechanism through which communities express historical experiences, spiritual beliefs, and collective identity. Furthermore, the study highlights the relevance of Conceptual Metaphor Theory in analyzing indigenous oral traditions and contributes to the preservation and understanding of Cirebon’s cultural heritage.
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