Bentuk dan Peran Tari Ancak dalam Upacara Adat Muang Jong di Kabupaten Belitung

Abstract

The Ancak Dance is part of a sacred ritual within the Muang Jong Traditional Ceremony conducted by the Sawang Tribe community in Belitung Regency. This tradition embodies spiritual and social values closely connected to reverence for ancestors and guardians of the sea. This research is motivated by the importance of preserving local culture, which is increasingly being eroded by the forces of modernization, as well as by the limited number of academic studies specifically examining the form and role of the Ancak Dance within the ceremonial structure. This article aims to describe the presentation form of the Ancak Dance and to explore its roles within the cultural context of coastal communities. The method employed is descriptive qualitative research using Richard Schechner’s Performance Studies approach, while also referring to Soedarsono’s theory of dance form. The research subjects consist of dancers, traditional elders, and community leaders; data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and literature review. The findings indicate that the form of the Ancak Dance includes meaningful movements, circular floor patterns, simple makeup, traditional Malay attire, and accompaniment by traditional drums. The dance functions as a medium of spiritual communication, a tool for cultural preservation, a symbol of collective identity, and a means of transmitting customary values. The existence of the Ancak Dance serves as a marker of the continuity of tradition and reflects the strength of communal values within the Sawang Tribe community. Systematic preservation efforts are necessary to ensure the sustainability of this cultural practice.