Sacred Aesthetics in the Bedhaya Ketawang Dance as a Medium of Human Relations and the Spiritual World
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22437/jcs.v5i1.56103Keywords:
Sacred Aesthetics, Bedhaya Ketawang Dance, Systematic Literature ReviewAbstract
This study aims to analyze the sacred aesthetics of the Bedhaya Ketawang Dance as a medium for connecting humans and the spiritual world in Javanese culture. The study used a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method with a qualitative descriptive approach. Data were obtained from books, journals, and previous research related to Nusantara aesthetics, Javanese spirituality, and traditional ritual dance.
The results show that the sacred aesthetics of the Bedhaya Ketawang Dance are reflected through gentle, slow, and harmonious dance movements and performance symbols that contain spiritual values. The dancer's body functions as both an artistic and symbolic medium, presenting the human relationship with the transcendental world. Performance elements such as floor patterns, the number of dancers, costumes, and gamelan accompaniment shape the aesthetic and spiritual experience in Javanese culture. Thus, the Bedhaya Ketawang Dance is not only an artistic performance but also a representation of human harmony with the spiritual world.
Keywords: sacred aesthetics, Bedhaya Ketawang, Javanese spirituality, dance
References
Astuti, W., Nurkamto, J., Subiyantoro, S., & Rochsantiningsih, D. (2024). Exploring the potential development of digital modules for arts and culture learning based on local culture: A mixed-method study on Bedhaya Ketawang dance. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.55214/25768484.v8i5.1986
Dharsono. (2007). Estetika. Rekayasa Sains.
Eliade, M. (1959). The sacred and the profane: The nature of religion. Harcourt Brace.
Endraswara, S. (2018). Metodologi penelitian kebudayaan. Gadjah Mada University Press.
Fitri, T. (2023). Bedhaya Ketawang: A yogic perspective on human function and expression as a means to comply with physical distancing. Jurnal Javanologi. https://doi.org/10.20961/javanologi.v4i2.67964
Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures. Basic Books.
Gronek, P., Gronek, J., Karpińska, A., Dobrzyńska, M. M., & Wycichowska, P. (2021). Is dance closer to physical activity or spirituality? A philosophical exploration. Journal of Religion and Health, 62, 1314–1323. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01354-y
Habibi, R., & Manurung, A. G. R. (2023). SLR systematic literature review: Metode penilaian kinerja karyawan menggunakan human performance technology. Journal of Applied Computer Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.52158/jacost.v4i2.511
Hadi, Y. S. (2005). Sosiologi tari: Sebuah pengenalan awal. Pustaka Book Publisher.
Irianto, I. S., Saaduddin, S., Susandro, S., & Putra, N. M. (2020). Recombination of Minangkabau traditional arts in Alam Takambang Jadi Batu by Komunitas Seni Nan Tumpah. Ekspresi Seni, 22(1), 85–99.
Merleau-Ponty, M. (1962). Phenomenology of perception. Routledge & Kegan Paul.
Milovats, J. V. (2022). Aesthetics of dance being: Spiritualization of the body. Filosofiya Referativnyi Zhurnal. https://doi.org/10.31249/rphil/2022.03.14
Murgiyanto, S. (2015). Pertunjukan budaya dan akal sehat. Fakultas Seni Pertunjukan IKJ.
Prabowo, A. (2021). Makna spiritual dalam Tari Bedhaya Ketawang di Keraton Surakarta. Jurnal Seni Nusantara, 9(2), 88–101.
Rahapsari, S. (2021). The quest of finding the self in the Bedhaya: Unravelling the psychological significance of the Javanese sacred dance. Culture & Psychology, 28(3), 413–432. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354067X211047441
Rahyono, F. X. (2009). Kearifan budaya dalam kata. Wedatama Widyasastra.
Rohidi, T. R. (2011). Metodologi penelitian seni. Cipta Prima Nusantara.
Sauer, P., & Seuring, S. (2023). How to conduct systematic literature reviews in management research: A guide in 6 steps and 14 decisions. Review of Managerial Science, 17, 1899–1933. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-023-00668-3
Setiawan, B. (2020). Estetika sakral dalam seni pertunjukan Jawa. Jurnal Kajian Budaya, 15(1), 34–47.
Smith, J. A. (2018). Sacred dance and spiritual symbolism in Javanese culture. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 11(3), 201–214.
Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039
Soedarsono, R. M. (1999). Seni pertunjukan Indonesia dan pariwisata. Masyarakat Seni Pertunjukan Indonesia.
Soedarsono, R. M. (2002). Seni pertunjukan Indonesia di era globalisasi. Gadjah Mada University Press.
Sumardjo, J. (2006). Estetika paradoks. Sunan Ambu Press.
Sutrisno, M. (2005). Teori-teori kebudayaan. Kanisius.
Swidler, L. (2021). Cosmic dance of dialogue! Studia Interkulturowe Akademii Ignatianum, 1(2), 240–255. https://doi.org/10.52510/sia.v1i2.17
Turner, V. (1969). The ritual process: Structure and anti-structure. Aldine Publishing.
Van Dinter, R., Tekinerdogan, B., & Catal, C. (2021). Automation of systematic literature reviews: A systematic literature review. Information and Software Technology, 136, 106589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infsof.2021.106589
Widyastutieningrum, S. R. (2012). Sejarah tari Gambyong: Seni rakyat menuju istana. ISI Press.
Wigati, K. D., & Lukito, Y. (2021). Javanese cosmology as the source of sustainability: Analyzing the harmony of spatial organization in Javanese Joglo house and shadow puppet performance. The 5th International Tropical Renewable Energy Conference (The 5th iTREC). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0064110
Yulianti, D. (2020). Simbolisme gerak dalam Tari Bedhaya Ketawang. Jurnal Kajian Seni, 7(1), 66–79.
Zafeiroudi, A. (2021). Intersections between modern and contemporary dance and yoga practice: A critical analysis of spiritual paths through body movement and choreography. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 10(4), 139–149. https://doi.org/10.36941/ajis-2021-0094
Zhang, J. (2024). The phenomenology of human existence movement: Worldliness, transcendence, and responsibility. Studies in East European Thought, 77, 463–479. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11212-024-09651-4
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Adela Sukma Ratnayu, Trisakti Trisakti
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Jurnal Cerano Seni provides open access to all content, ensuring that the information and findings in its articles are freely available for the benefit of everyone. All journal article content can be accessed and downloaded at no cost, in accordance with the applied Creative Commons license.
