Representation of Cultural Elements in Tombak Sulu Sulu Among the Batak Toba Community

A Semiotic Analysis Using Roland Barthes’ Perspective

Bibliographic Data

ID21807379
AuthorsKaleb E Simanungkalit (Sebelas Maret University), Kundharu Saddhono (0000-0001-8720-7343, Sebelas Maret University), Muhammad Rohmadi (0000-0003-0623-5567, Sebelas Maret University)
Year2025
Volume15
Issue4
Pages1298-1307
Publication date2025-04-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTheory and Practice in Language Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1799-2591 • E-ISSN: 2053-0692
PublisherAcademy Publication (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.17507/tpls.1504.28
OpenAlexW4409037208
LanguageEN
Citations received2

This research explored the representation of cultural elements in Tombak Sulu Sulu using Roland Barthes’ semiotic approach, which focused on denotation, connotation, and myth. This folklore was chosen due to its significance as a cultural artifact within the Batak Toba community in North Sumatra, Indonesia. This study employed a qualitative research design, utilizing Barthes’ semiotic framework. Data collection methods included interviews with traditional resource persons, observations, and analyses of graphic documents such as photographs and field notes. The data was examined using Miles and Huberman’s interactive analysis approach, which involved data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The findings revealed that Tombak Sulu Sulu conveys the Batak Toba people’s cultural values, social norms, and spiritual beliefs. This study highlighted the crucial role of folklore in preserving cultural heritage and collective identity, as well as its contribution to the study of semiotics in Indonesian literature and cultural discourse

Linguistics · Political science · Semiotics · Sociology · African history and culture analysis · Computer Science · Multilingual Education and Policy · Philosophy · Artificial Intelligence

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Open DOIOpen Access