Hegemoni Gendang Makassar dalam Praktik Pernikahan Masyarakat Bugis di Watampone, Sulawesi Selatan

Abstract

This study examines the cultural hegemony of Gandrang Makassar in the artistic practices of Watampone City, South Sulawesi, where its increasing prominence in festivals, weddings, and ritual performances has gradually marginalised local traditions, particularly Gandrang Bone. Employing a qualitative ethnographic approach, data were collected through participant and non-participant observation, in-depth interviews with local artists, and literature review. The analysis draws on Antonio Gramsci’s concept of cultural hegemony within a cultural studies framework. The findings reveal three principal mechanisms underlying Gandrang Makassar’s dominance: the formation of aesthetic consensus, the transmission of artistic knowledge through informal pedagogy within arts organisations, and the naturalisation of Gandrang Makassar as the preferred musical expression in cultural events. This dominance operates through cultural acceptance rather than explicit coercion, progressively reducing the visibility, intergenerational transmission, and symbolic significance of local drumming traditions. The study demonstrates that cultural hegemony in performing arts operates through everyday practices that shape aesthetic preferences and establish cultural hierarchies. These findings contribute to understanding the relationship between artistic dominance, cultural power, and the transformation of traditional performing arts in contemporary Indonesia.