Community Social Interaction and the Preservation of Local Cultural Identity in Bantimurung District, Maros Regency, Indonesia
Keywords:
Social Interaction, Cultural Identity, Cultural Preservation, Gotong Royong, Bantimurung District, Ethnography, Community StudiesAbstract
This study examines community social interaction and the preservation of local cultural identity in Bantimurung District, Maros Regency, Indonesia. The main objective of this research is to analyze how social interactions within the community contribute to the maintenance and transmission of local cultural identity amid increasing influences of modernization, tourism development, and digital transformation. This study employs a qualitative research approach using an ethnographic and case study design. Data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving community leaders, cultural practitioners, youth representatives, and local residents. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis and the Miles and Huberman interactive model, consisting of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings reveal that community social interaction in Bantimurung is characterized by strong kinship ties, mutual cooperation (gotong royong), and active participation in traditional ceremonies and cultural activities. These interactions function as the primary mechanism for transmitting cultural values and strengthening collective identity. The study also identifies that local cultural identity is expressed through traditional rituals, language use, customary practices, and local arts. Community efforts in cultural preservation are carried out through family-based transmission, cultural events, youth involvement, and collaboration with local government programs. However, several challenges were identified, including declining youth participation, economic constraints, tourism commercialization, and the influence of digital culture. The study concludes that social interaction plays a crucial role in sustaining cultural identity, while cultural preservation is a dynamic process shaped by the negotiation between tradition and modernity. Strengthening intergenerational communication and community participation is essential to ensure the continuity of local cultural identity in the future.
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