Journal of Cultural Development and Innovation

The Transformation of Traditional Rituals into Innovative Cultural Products: A Perspective of Creative Economy and Local Wisdom

Nur Saebah, Dina Nurul Fathiya, Feri Hardiyanto — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The transformation of traditional rituals into innovative cultural products is part of the dynamics of contemporary culture, rooted in local wisdom and connected to the creative economy sector. This study aims to analyze how this transformation practice is carried out by cultural communities in Indonesia, specifically examining preservation mechanisms of sacred values during the adaptation process into commercial products. The research uses a descriptive qualitative approach with a case study method in the Seba Baduy, Rambu Solo Toraja, and Hudoq Dayak communities. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 45 informants, participatory observations over 120 hours across three locations, and digital documentation of 250 cultural products. The results show that cultural actors utilize innovations based on local wisdom to transform rituals into products such as fashion, performance, and crafts, while maintaining spiritual and social values. Key findings indicate that 85% of transformed products retain core spiritual elements through narrative strategies, resulting in an average economic impact of a 40% increase in community income. The transformation process is participatory, creative, and strategic, involving local communities as well as support from the government and digital media. Significant challenges include commodification risks (identified in 65% of cases) and meaning simplification, which are addressed through cultural education programs and multi-stakeholder collaboration frameworks. This research confirms that traditional rituals have great potential to be a source of ethical and sustainable cultural innovation in the creative economy ecosystem, providing both theoretical contributions to cultural economy studies and practical implications for community-based cultural preservation policies.

Creative Community Strategy in Maintaining Local Cultural Identity in the Midst of the Globalization of Pop Culture

Fitri Ayu Triana Putri, Mar'atus Solikhah — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The current globalization of popular culture poses a serious challenge to the sustainability of local cultural identity, especially among the younger generation. This research aims to analyze the strategies of creative communities in preserving and reconstructing local culture through digital media and contemporary artistic practices. The approach used is qualitative descriptive with a case study method on three creative communities in Indonesia: Papermoon Puppet Theatre (Yogyakarta), Reog Banyuwangi Project (Banyuwangi), and Forum Lenteng (Jakarta). Data was collected through in-depth interviews, observations of community activities, and digital media documentation, which was analyzed with thematic techniques. The results of the study show that the creative community plays a dual role as both a preservative agent and a cultural innovator, employing strategies such as the use of local narratives, the incorporation of traditional cultural elements with modern aesthetics, and the distribution of cultural content through digital media. In addition, the involvement of the younger generation in cultural production reinforces the relevance of local culture in digital public spaces. This study concludes that creative communities are the spearhead of adaptive local cultural preservation in the face of the challenge of global cultural homogenization.

The Role of the Millennial Generation in Reconstructing Cultural Values Through Social Media Content

Fatih Humam Ramadhan — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The flow of globalization and the development of digital technology have changed the way millennials interpret and inherit local cultural values. This research aims to analyze the role of the millennial generation in reconstructing cultural values through social media content in Indonesia. The approach used is qualitative descriptive with a case study method on several cultural content creators in Indonesia who are active on the TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube platforms across Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Bandung. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, social media observations, and digital documentation that were analyzed using thematic analysis techniques with triangulation validation and member checking procedures. The results of the study show that the millennial generation performs cultural representation through visual narratives, local language, and creative and communicative aesthetic strategies. Additionally, audience engagement, as indicated by comments, likes, and reposts, also enhances the reach and social significance of the cultural content. However, challenges such as commodification and simplification of cultural meaning are also important concerns in this reconstruction process. This study concludes that social media serves not only as a communication tool but also as a new cultural space, allowing the young generation to preserve, critique, and innovate local values in a participatory and sustainable manner. The practical implications of this research guide cultural preservation policies and digital literacy programs for the younger generation.