From Stereotypes to Harmony: TAPENGSOR as a Cultural Bridge for Understanding Madurese Culture through the Representation of Local Identity

Abstract

Stereotypes portraying the Madurese people as harsh and conflict-oriented continue to hinder intercultural understanding in Indonesia, highlighting the need for media that can present a more balanced cultural representation. This study aims to analyze the representation of Madurese cultural identity in the film TAPENGSOR and examine its role in transforming stereotypes into social harmony. The study employed a descriptive qualitative approach using Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis, focusing on the levels of denotation, connotation, and myth. Data were collected through observation of film scenes, dialogues, visual symbols, and documentation. The findings reveal that TAPENGSOR represents Madurese cultural identity through cultural symbols such as the Sumenep Palace, Pendopo Agung, traditional gamelan, cultural festivals, local language, and social interactions. These symbols communicate values of religiosity, social solidarity, kinship, respect for history, and cultural preservation while reconstructing a more authentic image of Madurese society. The film also illustrates a transformation in the main character’s perception from prejudice to appreciation through direct cultural experiences. It can be concluded that TAPENGSOR functions not only as a medium of cultural representation but also as an effective intercultural communication tool that promotes cross-cultural understanding, strengthens local cultural identity, and contributes to fostering social harmony in Indonesia’s multicultural society