DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2019.v07i07.008

Pages: 482-486

This research is focusing on thematic villages in Malang City. In the last ten years, thematic villages have been successfully actuating community to substantiate social position of individuals and peoples within it. One of thematic villages with enthusiasm and potentials toward social empowerment is Kampung Budaya Palawijen (KBP), or Palawijen Culture Village. This Village was lauched in 2016 and positioned to be culture village. Potentials were already there because this Village inherited many cultural legacies. One of them is “sumur windu”, which is considered as confirmation to the presence of Ken Dedes. Other is a grave of a renown mask artist, Reni (Tjandra Suwarno), who was once described in Ong Hok Ham’s narration. Reni was a public servant for Malang Regency during the administration of AA Surya Adiningrat (1898-1934). Given knowledge about this, Palawijen community attempts to reconstruct them through some events. One is the commemoration of World Dance Day that was held on Sunday, April 28, 2019, and the event is called Gelar Donga Topeng Nusantara. This event is reviewed with qualitative approach, which uses verbal data obtained from interview and depth observation. Key informants include Isa Wahyudi (44 years old) who is an activist in thematic village, Selamat Riyadi (54 years old) who is the chief of Neighborhood Association 03 in Palawijen Culture Village, and Nyai Dadak Purwa (28 years old), the stage name of a dancer in any dance events. Analysis is conducted with interpretation and verbal signification. Result of analysis in this review is described as follows: (1) arak-arakan (carnivals) is interpreted as representation of ‘Donga’ (pray); (2) transformation of mask puppet movement is signified as cultural expression; and (3) revitalization of tourist destination is considered as economic empowerment to the interest of community.