Mitos dan Animisme: Struktur Imajinatif dalam Kesenian Saluang Sirompak

This study explores the representation of animism in the traditional art of Saluang Sirompak as part of the spirituality and cultural identity of the Minangkabau people. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach with a cultural hermeneutic perspective, the research was conducted in Taeh, Lima Puluh Kota Regency, West Sumatra. Data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews with tradition bearers, and document analysis, then analyzed thematically and hermeneutically. The findings reveal that animism remains alive in symbolic forms and spiritual rituals, such as the invocation of Mambang spirits, the use of Saluang as a medium of supernatural communication, and the utilization of artifacts like Gasiang Tangkurak. These practices not only reflect ancient belief systems but also demonstrate the Minangkabau community's ability to preserve tradition through the integration of custom and religion, as expressed in the principle adat basandi syarak, syarak basandi Kitabullah. The study affirms that animism is not merely a relic of the past but a dynamic belief system that continues to transform within contemporary cultural contexts. Saluang Sirompak functions not only as an aesthetic expression but also as a spiritual medium bridging the human world and the supernatural in the local cosmology.