Semiotic layers of ritual offerings, cultural myths, and Javanese-Chinese identity in Grebeg Sudiro, Surakarta: a Barthesian interpretation

This study describes the semiotic layers of ritual offerings and cultural myths in the Grebeg Sudiro tradition in Surakarta, Indonesia, as a representation of Javanese-Chinese identity, using Roland Barthes’ semiotic framework. This research employed a qualitative ethnographic approach with participant observation, visual documentation, and semi-structured interviews with seven purposively informants. Findings showed that: (1) denotatively, Grebeg Sudiro includes processions with paraphernalia (ubarampe), gunungan (male and female jodang), iwen-iwen, grains, and kue keranjang (basket cakes); (2) connotative, these signs express gratitude, prayers, prosperity, social solidarity, and the acculturation of Javanese-Chinese culture in the public sphere; and (3) at the mythical level, the processions and offerings construct a narrative of harmony in diversity, accepted as a social order and transmitted across generations. This study contributes to cultural semiotics by showing how these elements generate meaning beyond functions and a representation of Javanese-Chinese identity.