Lokananta Music as Social Technology: An Interdisciplinary Study of Culture, Spirituality, and Community Psychology in the Sriwijaya Region

The periodic emergence of Lokananta sounds in the Batu Mountain region of Malaya Sriwijaya represents a unique cultural and spiritual phenomenon that connects the physical and supernatural realms. This study aims to explore how the Lokananta sounds function as a form of social technology that reinforces social cohesion and collective identity within the community. Additionally, it investigates the relationship between the sounds and lithophonic artifacts, such as stone drums, gongs, and canang, within the cultural and spiritual context of the region. Utilizing a qualitative and phenomenological approach, the research was conducted in the Batu Mountain area of South Sumatra, Indonesia, in July 2024. Data were collected through field observations, in-depth interviews with traditional leaders and local community members, and an analysis of lithophonic artifacts. The study found that the Lokananta sounds, characterized by a unique four-beat minor scale, act as an auditory ritual bridging the human and supernatural realms. These sounds, along with the lithophonic artifacts like the Gendang Batu and Gong Batu, serve as spiritual symbols that strengthen the community’s cosmological beliefs. The findings highlight the importance of preserving both the sonic and spatial dimensions of cultural heritage, emphasizing their role in maintaining psychosocial and spiritual well being.