Existence of The Menyilaq Tradition Among the Sasak People in the Face of The Advance of Modern Information Technology

Abstract

This study aims to examine the existence of the menyilaq tradition among the Sasak people, identify the dynamics of change resulting from the development of modern information technology, and uncover the adaptation and preservation strategies used to maintain cultural and social values, as well as local wisdom, in the digital age. The study employs a qualitative descriptive approach, with research sites in Mataram City, West Lombok Regency, and North Lombok Regency that represent urban, suburban, and indigenous communities. The study selected informants through purposive sampling, including traditional leaders, cultural figures, village heads, and representatives of the younger generation. Data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, then analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model. The results indicate that the menyilaq tradition remains intact but undergoes distinct patterns of transformation across different regions. In urban areas, the menyilaq tradition tends to be replaced by digital communication, whereas in indigenous communities, it is still upheld as a social norm. This study identifies three patterns of traditional shift: total digital conversion, rigid cultural preservation, and hybrid culture, with the hybrid model emerging as the most relevant form of adaptation because it integrates information technology with the preservation of Sasak cultural values. The implications of this study underscore the importance of synergies among cultural policy, education, family, community, and strengthened digital communication ethics as a strategy for the sustainable preservation of the menyilaq tradition.