Eksistensi Padepokan Asmoro Bangun

This study investigates the historical development and inheritance processes of Padepokan Asmoro Bangun, a cultural institution dedicated to preserving Malangan Mask art, through an oral history approach. Data was gathered through interviews with the fifth-generation successor and the last surviving wife of the founder. The findings reveal that the padepokan has sustained its legacy across several generations since its establishment in the early 1900s. Particularly notable is the third generation, whose leadership elevated the art of Malangan Mask dance to national prominence, cementing its cultural significance. The inheritance process within the padepokan not only entails the transmission of artistic knowledge and cultural values but is also deeply rooted in the Javanese philosophy of trahing kusumo rembesing madu—a concept emphasizing the continuation of noble lineage through the harmonious dissemination of virtue and excellence. This philosophy underscores the interplay between familial heritage and the preservation of cultural traditions, reflecting broader Javanese values in the stewardship of intangible cultural heritage.