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MEANINGS SYMBOLS THE CELEBRATION OF PEH CHUN IN
“The Synergy between Literature and Communication Science as a Means of Cultural Diplomacy
in Building a New Civilization in the Millennial Era”, Bogor, 14-15 November 2018 120
120 Menuju tanah air – Indonesia.
Tracing the way of life of some Chinese residents from the above poems ushered them to various regions. Starting from Palembang as a trading center in the era of the Srivijaya Kingdom to Java to look for spices and then many of them settled in the port area of North Java, such as Tuban, Surabaya, Gresik, Banten or Tangerang and Jakarta. The story of the arrival of Chinese people to Indonesia who dared to make a fortune is a proof of the mix of immigrants' culture with local culture. The story of intermingling also occurred in the China Benteng community in Tangerang City.
The establishment of the China Benteng community in Tangerang City adds to the cultural repertoire of Tangerang City and as an example of the three forms of culture that the author has explained above. In the culture of the China Benteng community there is a tradition of celebrating traditional celebrations that are routinely held every year. One of the celebrations is the Peh Chun celebration. Peh Chun's celebration must have a concept about what the celebration is like, who is involved, what is needed, and how the celebration is a form of China Benteng culture in the most abstract level, the system of ideas. Peh Chun is a celebration party held to commemorate 100 Chinese New Year's Day. The symbols in the tradition of the China Benteng community occupy a strategic position in describing their social conditions and customs. Thus everything can be a puzzle, because symbols can be interpreted in multiple ways and cannot be separated from mystical cultural meanings.
On Peh Chun celebration day, it is also well-known for the Peh Chun prayer ceremony led by religious leaders on the banks of the Cisadane River. After the ceremony, Peh Chun is increasingly lively with egg-raising activities. Citizens believe that the sun is at its highest point so that round eggs can stand. In the belief of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, today is considered the best day for picking herbs from traditional medicine.
Actually on the Peh Chun celebration day the China Benteng community used many symbols in their celebrations, ranging from dragon boats, egg-raising activities and even to their food, Bacang for example, which is a typical Chinese culinary food that must be served during Peh Chun celebrations. This Bacang is made from glutinous rice filled with sweet stir-fried pork. This also includes the symbols used in Peh Chun celebrations.
The symbols contained in the Peh Chun celebration are the third form of the China Benteng community culture. Because the Peh Chun celebration is a patterned activity from the China Benteng community, certainly in the course of the celebration it uses various works needed in its activities. Indeed, from the three forms of culture that the author has explained at the beginning are interrelated but for research in this journal the author will examine the physical form of culture in accordance with the title of the research, "Meanings symbols the celebration of Peh Chun in Tangerang City.‖
2. ROLAND BARTHES SEMIOTIC THEORY
Roland Barthes was born in 1915 from a Protestant middle class family in Cherbourg and grew up in Bayonne, a small town near the Atlantic Coast in the Southwest of France. Roland Barthes (1915-1980) was a follower of Saussure, who first designed a systematic model in the negotiation process, an interactive meaningful idea that could be analyzed. In his theory Barthes developed semiotics into two significant structures. The first signification order explains the relationship of signifier and signified to reality, resulting in denotation of meaning (clear, direct, and definite). The second signification order explains the relationship of signifier and signified in which it operates meaning that is not explicit, indirect, and uncertain.
Roland Barthes continues this thought by emphasizing the interaction between the text and the personal and cultural experiences of its users, the interaction between conventions in the text and the conventions experienced and expected by its users. Barthes's idea is known as "order of
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signification", includes denotation (the actual meaning according to the dictionary) and connotation (double meaning born of cultural and personal experience).
Two orders of signification Barthes consists of first of order of signification, denotation, and second orders of signification, namely the connotation of the first order which includes signifier and signified in the form of signs. This sign is called denotation meaning. In socio-cultural life, the user of the sign does not only interpret it as a denotation (commonly known meaning) which in Barthes's theory is called the first order. But also the development of meaning is called connotation as the second order. This connotation in the second order is a new meaning given by the user of the sign in accordance with the wishes, background of knowledge or new conventions that exist in society.
In other words this connotation explains how cultural symptoms obtain special meaning from members of their community.
1.Signifier (Penanda) 2.Signified (Petanda) 3.Denotative Sign (Tanda Denotatif)
4.Connotative Signifier (Penanda Konotatif)
5.Connotative Signified (Petanda Konotatif)
6.Connotative Sign (Tanda Konotatif)
Picture 1. Sign map of Roland Barthes
From the map above, that denotative sign (3) describes the existence of a relation from the signifier (1) and signified (2). But at the same time denotative signs (3) also as connotative signifier (4). That means that connotations don't just have additional meaning but also contain both parts of the denotative sign that underlies them. This is the greatest contribution of Barthes in perfecting the Saussure semiotics which only reaches the signification in the denotative order. (Alex Sobur, 2017:
69)
Basically there is a difference between denotation and connotation in general terms with denotations and connotations in Roland Barthes's theory. In general understanding denotations are interpreted as true meanings, and connotations of meaning that are not real. While in semiotic Roland Barthes denotation is the first level signification system and connotation is the second level significance system.
The first stage of signification is the relationship between the signifier and signified in the sign of external reality. This is called denotation, the most obvious meaning of the sign. The connotation shows the signification of the second stage of the order, when the sign meets the feelings or emotions of the user and the values of the culture. The main factors in connotation are signifier in the first order. Signifier in the first order are connotations sign.
In the second signification related to content, the sign works through myth. In the myth there are three-dimensional patterns of signifier, signified and signs that form a unique system that is built by a chain of meanings that already existed beforehand or in other words Myths are also a system of interpreting the second level. In the Myth also a signified can have several signifier, meaning that in terms of the number of signified it is poorer than a signifier, so that in practice a concept appears repeatedly in different forms. Mythology studies these forms because repetition of concepts takes place in the form of various forms.
Barthes also solidifies Ideology with Myth, because both in Myth and Ideology there is a relationship between connotative signifier and motivational connotative signified. Barthes understands Ideology as a false consciousness that makes people live in an imaginary and ideal world, even though the reality of their lives is not. Ideology exists as long as culture exists, and that is why connotation is considered a cultural expression. Culture manifests itself in texts and ideology manifests itself through various codes that seep into the text in the form of important signifiers, such as characters, settings, points of view and others.
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Myth is a product of a social class that has one dominance. For Barthes, myth is a way of thinking of a culture about something, a way to conceptualize or understand something as well as a series of interrelated concepts.
3. RESEARCH METHODS
The constructivist paradigm was used in this study, which is how researchers interpret a social reality that occurs in Peh Chun celebrations in Tangerang City which can be symbolized through a series of Peh Chun Celebration events starting from the meal to the Dragon Boat race, so that construction takes place in denotative and connotative by the China Benteng community from the history of Peh Chun celebrations in his native country.
The method used in this study is a qualitative descriptive approach, meaning that the data used is descriptive qualitative data. According to Suharsimi Arikunto, "descriptive research aims to describe the state or status of events". Sugiono in his book "Understanding Qualitative Research"
says that qualitative research methods are, "Research methods are used to examine natural object conditions, (as opposed to experiments) where the researcher is a key instrument. The technique of data collection is triangulated (combined), data analysis is inductive and the results of qualitative research emphasize more meaning than generalization ". In this case, research only wants to describe a situation or event, does not look for relationships, does not test hypotheses or make predictions about the meaning of a symbol. If the required data has been collected, then it is classified into qualitative data, which is described by words or sentences separated according to categories to obtain conclusions.
4. RESULTS
Semiotic analysis is the study of signs or symbols and their relationship with signs or symbols that are related to functions and learn how the signs work. The basic concept that forms the basis of the semiotic research tradition is a sign, which is defined as a stimulus that indicates or shows several other conditions, the presence of smoke which indicates the presence of fire.
The second basic concept is a symbol that indicates a sign that is more complex and has many meanings. In terms of analyzing the meaning of the symbols that appear in the Peh Chun Celebration in Tangerang City, the researcher treats it as the text to be analyzed. Because Peh Chun Celebration is a set of symbols that are communication and contain a message for those who celebrate it.
Peh Chun's celebration as a form of cultural knowledge in which contains a collection of symbols, folk terms and types of symbols that have meanings that exist in the form of Peh Chun Celebration, so to analyze the researcher uses the theory of Roland Barthes.
Usually the Peh Chun celebration series in Tangerang City starts with making Bacang as a dish on Peh Chun Celebration. Then at night Peh Chun performed a sacred boat bathing ritual which continued with Yue's Prayer and the ritual of setting up eggs in the afternoon. As entertainment, a duck catching contest and a dragon boat race were held as the closing of the Peh Chun celebration series.
The meaning of Bacang Dish
To facilitate the researcher in explaining how Bacang's meaning in Roland Barthes's theory, the researcher will describe it in the map of Barthes's sign.
1.(Signifier) Bamboo containing Rice
2.(Signified) To commemorate Qu Yuan
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123 3. (Denotative Sign)
Bamboo containing Rice poured into the Miluo River to commemorate Qu Yuan
4.( Connotative Signifier) Bamboo containing Rice poured into the Miluo River to commemorate Qu Yuan
5. (Connotative Signified)
Au Hui received a message from Qu Yuan to make food wrapped in kasap or bamboo leaves
6.( Connotative Sign)
Food wrapped in kasap or bamboo leaves to commemorate Qu Yuan connotes being Bacang
Picture 2. Signification of the Meaning of Bacang
Bacang‘s meaning in the Peh Chun Celebration in Tangerang City has undergone two stages of signification. On the first signification which became the Signifier, namely the story of Gi Hu who threw Bamboo containing Rice into the Miluo River to commemorate and respect Qu Yuan. And as a signified, that is to commemorate Qu Yuan. The meaning of this story is to commemorate and honor the services of Qu Yuan during his lifetime, and this becomes both a meaning and a denotative sign and a connotative signifier. Then on the second signification of the meaning of respect to Qu Yuan by throwing Bamboo containing Rice into the Miluo River to meet the story of Au Hui, who is said to have received a message from Qu Yuan to make food wrapped in kasap leaves or Bamboo leaves to commemorate Qu Yuan, and this food is connotes being Bacang.
Then this Bacang dish was brought by the Chinese Benteng community during the Peh Chun celebration on the Cisadane River and there was acculturation with the local culture which originally Bacang contained pork, now Bacang has various contents.
From the meaning of the symbol of Bacang in the Peh Chun Celebration in the City of Tangerang, Chinese culture is contained within it. Because at this time Bacang is not only served during Peh Chun Celebration, but can easily find Bacang dishes on weekdays.
The Meaning of Sacred Boat Baths 1.(Signifier)
Great- grandmother Rudi A.
Kuhu found pieces of wood that were used as a ship's wood
2.(Signified)
Great-grandmother Rudi A. Kuhu believed that if he kept and cared for the wood he would survive and avoid danger
3. (Denotative Sign)
The pieces of wood found are stored and treated to avoid danger.
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124 4.( Connotative Signifier)
The pieces of wood found are stored and treated to avoid danger.
5.(Connotative Signified) On Peh Chun 1911, the Green Papak Boat was broken during a race on the Cisadane River
6.( Connotative Sign)
The Sacred Boat Bath with water from the Cisadane River at night Peh Chun connotes the care of pieces of wood believed by Rudi A. Kuhu's great grandmother to avoid danger
Picture 3. Signification of the Meaning of Sacred Boat Baths
Based on the map of the sign above, the meaning of the denotation of the Sacred Boat bath is as a form of application for protection to the Thian to avoid danger. Which is a signifier in the first signification, which is a piece of wood used by a boat discovered by great-grandmother Rudi A.
Kuhu. And Rudi A. Kuhu's great-grandmother's trust in a piece of wood from a ship that had been requested to be treated in his dream became the beginning of the sacredness of the object. This sacred concept is the signified.
While the meaning of the connotation arose when the breaking of the Green Papak Boat in the 1911 Peh Chun Celebration which became a sign in the second signification interacted with it denotative sign. The meaning of the connotation in the second signification is the bathing of the Sacred Boat as a form of trust in Thian to avoid disaster. And the remaining water from the Sacred Boat baths connotes, so it is believed to be able to bring blessings, easy match and launch sustenance.
The Meaning of Yue's Prayer
Yue's Prayer is the Praying of Eling and Taqwa to the Almighty God who means humans are reminded to always eling (remember) there is His power that must not be forgotten and cannot be denied accompanied by Taqwa to Him, humans beg to always be given strength in trials and given directions in his life. This prayer is also known as the Prayer of Twan Yang. The following is a map of Barthes' sign in the significaion of Yue Prayer.
1.(Signifier) The occurrence of natural phenomena where the sun emits its brightest light
2.(Signified)
Humans are reminded to always Eling (remember) and Taqwa to God Almighty
3. (Denotative Sign)
With the existence of natural phenomena that occur on the 5th of the 5th month, the Chinese Lunar calendar must remember a lot and devote to the Almighty God
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125 4.( Connotative Signifier)
With the existence of natural phenomena that occur on the 5th of the 5th month, the Chinese Lunar calendar must remember a lot and devote to the Almighty God
5. (Connotative Signified)
On Twan Yang‘s Day Qu Yuan killed himself on the Miluo River, after the Prayer of Twan Yang.
6.( Connotative Sign)
The Yue Prayer conducted at Toa Pekong Air connotes prayer Twan Yang that Qu Yuan did before committing suicide
Picture 4. Signification of the Meaning of Yue's Prayers
This natural phenomenon that occurred on the 5th of the 5th month of the Lunar New Year calendar became a signifer and reminded humans to remember and Taqwa to Thian as a signified in the first signification. The meaning of the denotation is that with the existence of natural phenomena humans should remember a lot (Eling) and devote to God Almighty to maintain harmony with nature.
The Yue Prayer is held in Toa Pekong Air located on the banks of the Cisadane River, not far from the Boen Tek Bio Temple, which connotes the suicide of Qu Yuan after he prayed for Twan Yang. This is the second signification.
The Meaning of Establishing an Egg 1.(Signifier)
The occurrence of natural phenomena when the
axis of
rotation of the Earth is perpendicular to the Sun which occurs during the day around 11: 00 a.m- 13:00 p.m
2.(Signified)
Humans are reminded not to damage nature and maintain the balance of nature to remain harmonious
3. (Denotative Sign)
The occurrence of natural phenomena when the axis of rotation of the Earth is perpendicular to the Sun which occurs during the day around 11: 00 a.m-13:00 p.m reminds humans not to damage nature and maintain the balance of nature in order to remain harmonious
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126 4.( Connotative Signifier)
The occurrence of natural phenomena when the axis of rotation of the Earth is perpendicular to the Sun which occurs during the day around 11: 00 a.m-13:00 p.m reminds humans not to damage nature and maintain the balance of nature in order to remain harmonious
5. (Connotative Signified)
This natural phenomenon always occurs right at the time of the Peh Chun Celebration that is the 5th of the 5th month of the Chinese calendar
6.( Connotative Sign)
Establishing eggs is connoted as a reminder of humans not to damage nature, maintain balance and harmony with nature
Picture 5. Signification of Meaning of Establishing Eggs
In the first signification of Roland Barthes, the denotative meaning of humanity is reminded to keep nature in harmony. This phenomenon is considered as a reminder to humans not to damage nature and maintain the balance of nature to remain harmonious. When denotative meanings as well as connotative signifier meet connotative signified, namely Peh Chun Celebration, denotative connotation becomes a connotative sign of establishing an egg during the day during Peh Chun Celebration.
The Meaning of the Duck Catching Competition
The duck catching competition is actually not a culture of China, but this is the result of acculturation with local culture. The competition was held to catch Ducks to enliven the Peh Chun event. And below is a sign map of the significance of the Duck catch competition.
1.(Signifier) Exciteme nt of Peh Chun
Celebration in Tangerang City
2.(Signified)
Made a competition during Peh Chun Celebration
3. (Denotative Sign)
By holding a competition in Peh Chun Celebration to be more festive and lively
4.( Connotative Signifier)
By holding a competition in Peh Chun Celebration to be more festive and lively
5. (Connotative Signified) Bad luck can be done by removing the duck
6.( Connotative Sign)
The Duck catching competition as connotation meanings of people who want to throw off bad luck on Peh Chun's day by releasing duck
Picture 6. Significance of Meaning of Catching Duck Competition