Oral Tradition As A Living Cultural Practice: A Study Of Tangis Dilo In The Alas Community

Abstract

This study examines Tangis Dilo as a living oral tradition practiced by the Alas ethnic community of Aceh Tenggara and positions it within the framework of intangible cultural heritage. Tangis Dilo is a ritualized oral lament performed by a bride during the ceremonial release from her natal family after marriage, functioning as a medium for emotional expression, moral education, and social legitimization. Employing a qualitative ethnographic approach, data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews with traditional leaders, performers, and community members, as well as audio-visual documentation of ritual performances. The findings reveal that Tangis Dilo possesses a structured performative form characterized by poetic language, rhythmic vocal delivery, symbolic gestures, and embodied actions that articulate gratitude, emotional attachment, and acceptance of social transition. The tradition reinforces kinship values, filial respect, and communal responsibility while serving as an informal educational mechanism within Alas society. However, its continuity faces challenges such as declining intergenerational transmission, reduced ritual spaces, and shifting cultural preferences among younger generations. The study also identifies sustainability strategies, including community-based transmission, educational integration, digital documentation, and strengthened cultural policy support. Theoretically, this research reinforces the concept of oral tradition as a dynamic cultural practice shaped by performance and social context, while practically contributing to preservation initiatives aimed at sustaining local oral traditions in contemporary society.