Digitization, Efforts To Preserve Pantuns In The Era Of Globalization

JAKARTA Porridge Fish Lele, Come on and take a walk Le... become one of the viral rhymes on social media. Although they do not follow traditional rhyme standards with a-b-a-b rhythm patterns, this rhyme is easy to remember for the younger generation. In the midst of the digital era, traditional rhymes are increasingly rarely used, especially by millennials and Gen Z.

Prior to this trend, Betawi comedian Oppie Kumis had revived the rhymes through his signature expression, "Masak Aer Let Mateng..." in a television show. These kinds of efforts help maintain the existence of pantun among young people.

Pantun is a traditional literary work that has long been part of the life of the Indonesian people. UNESCO has recognized the rhyme as an intangible cultural heritage on December 20, 2020. Pantuns are often used to convey messages or stories with distinctive styles and word games. In addition, rhymes act as a means of moral, advice, and expression of feelings in a unique way.

Challenges To Preserve Pantuns In The Digital Age

South Sumatran culturalist, Vebri Al-Lintani, assesses that the rhymes face major challenges in the digital era. The interest of the younger generation towards rhymes has decreased due to lifestyle changes, cultural shifting, and lack of understanding of value in rhymes.

Along with technological advances, public interest in traditions such as reading and writing rhymes is decreasing. The younger generation is more interested in social media and digital entertainment," he said, Wednesday, February 19, 2025.

According to him, there are several steps to maintain the continuity of rhymes in the modern era, such as:

- Pantun integration in education curriculum, - Utilization of social media and technology, - Active role of the cultural community, - Preservation of traditional traditions that use rhymes.

Vebri gave an example of the tradition of doorstops in Betawi culture, where pantuns are used in traditional wedding ceremonies. "A rhyme in the doorstop is not just entertainment, but contains moral, customary, and local wisdom messages that are passed down from generation to generation," he said.

Digitization Of Pantuns To Reach The Young Generation

Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon (Yesica Sitinjak/VOI)

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon stated that the rhyme is not only an entertainment tool, but also a unifying tool for the nation. Therefore, the government is committed to preserving the rhyme as Indonesia's intangible cultural heritage.

Puntun mengalami perjalanan panjang dari tradisi oral ke ranah digital. Meski masa berubah, pantun tetap relevan sebagai alat komunikasi yang penuh maksin. Kita perlu mempertahankan pantun dalam bentuk tradisional sekaligus mengadaptasinya ke berbagai format digital, tuturnya.

According to Fadli, digital technology can be used to introduce rhymes to the younger generation. Strategies that can be applied include:

- Digitization of cultural heritage in the form of e-books, podcasts, and videos,- Utilization of augmented reality for cultural interactions,- Digital filing to document rhymes.

Social media and digital applications are effective means of promoting rhymes. Digitalization of this culture also helps document and preserve rhymes," he said.

Fadli revealed that there are still around 10,000 Minangkabau typical rhymes that have not been documented. The challenges in the preservation of pantun include efforts to record oral traditions, present them in the form of script videos, and save them as digital archives. He also encourages the cultural community to be active in documenting rhymes and holding pantun-retaliatory festivals.

The Role Of Culture And Technology In Pantun Preservation

Head of the BRIN Research Center, Literatur, and Lisan Tradition, Sastri Sunarti, acknowledged that the existence of pantuns has begun to be eroded by foreign cultures and changes in the lifestyle of the younger generation. Digitalization and social media are more often filled with popular content that does not reflect local cultural identity," he said.

According to him, it is necessary to have a conservation strategy so that the rhyme remains relevant in the digital era. Not just reviving the pantun tradition, but also making it an integral part of education, cultural diplomacy, and contemporary innovation," he said.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Lisan Traditional Association (ATL), Mukhlis Paeni, emphasized the importance of maintaining a rhyme in the digital era. Puntun is not only a tradition, but also a tool to strengthen the character of the nation," he said.

He supports the use of technology to preserve rhymes so that they remain relevant to the times. In fact, making rhymes can be done using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. "Digitalization is not a threat, but an opportunity to revive the rhyme in modern format," he added.

According to Mukhlis, all parties, government, culturalists, and society have a responsibility to maintain a balance between traditional culture and technology. By digitizing, the rhyme not only survives as a cultural heritage, but also develops into a relevant communication medium and brings the values of the archipelago culture into the modern world.

"Our hope is that the rhymes not only survive but also develop and adapt to the times. By maintaining and developing the rhymes, we not only preserve the ancestral heritage, but also enrich culture with inspiring values," concluded Mukhlis.