TRANSFORMASI IDENTITAS BUDAYA WONG PALEMBANG: KAJIAN LITERATUR TERHADAP PERUBAHAN SOSIAL DAN TRADISI LOKAL

Abstrak

Penelitian ini membahas transformasi identitas budaya Wong Palembang melalui kajian literatur yang menelusuri perubahan tradisi, praktik sosial, dan budaya material seperti songket, kuliner, dan arsitektur tepian sungai. Secara historis, identitas masyarakat Palembang dibentuk oleh kehidupan sungai, struktur sosial Melayu-Islam, serta warisan tekstil dan ritual adat. Namun, modernisasi, urbanisasi, dan komodifikasi budaya membawa perubahan signifikan terhadap praktik budaya, baik dalam bentuk penyederhanaan ritual maupun pergeseran makna filosofis yang dahulu melekat kuat. Hasil kajian menunjukkan adanya ketegangan antara budaya ideal pada masa lalu dengan praktik budaya kontemporer, di mana songket dan elemen budaya lainnya mengalami reinterpretasi untuk menyesuaikan tuntutan pasar dan pariwisata. Identitas Wong Palembang kini berada pada fase negosiasi antara tradisi dan modernitas, menegaskan perlunya strategi pelestarian yang adaptif, berbasis edukasi dan literasi budaya. Kajian ini menegaskan pentingnya memahami dinamika perubahan budaya agar warisan Palembang tetap lestari sekaligus relevan dalam konteks masa kini.

This study examines the transformation of Wong Palembang’s cultural identity through a literature-based analysis of changes in traditions, social practices, and material culture such as songket textiles, culinary heritage, and riverside architecture. Historically, the identity of Palembang society was shaped by its river-based lifestyle, Malay-Islamic social structures, and a rich tradition of textiles and ceremonial rituals. However, modernization, urban expansion, and cultural commodification have significantly altered these practices, leading to the simplification of certain rituals and shifts in the philosophical meanings once deeply embedded in local traditions. Findings reveal a clear tension between idealized traditional culture and contemporary practices, where songket and other cultural elements undergo reinterpretation to align with market demands and tourism. Wong Palembang’s identity is currently situated in a negotiation phase between tradition and modernity, highlighting the need for adaptive, culturally literate preservation strategies. This study underscores the importance of understanding cultural transformation dynamics to ensure that Palembang’s heritage remains both preserved and relevant in the present era.