Sandur as a Digital Chronicle of Ecology, Humanity, and Local Wisdom in Bojonegoro

Abstract

Sandur Bojonegoro is a traditional folk performance rich in ecological values, agrarian spirituality, and local wisdom. Amid environmental degradation and the rapid rise of digitalization, Sandur has not only endured as cultural heritage but also evolved into a digital chronicle that aesthetically and narratively portrays the human nature relationship. This study explores how the Sandur Rumah performance, specifically the Sandur Rumah Selendang Kuning video on YouTube functions as a medium for articulating ecological, spiritual, and sociocultural values of the Bojonegoro community. Using a qualitative approach, this research applies visual content analysis, guided by theories of visual semiotics, eco spirituality, folk religion, cultural mediation, and the concept of the living archive. The analysis focuses on the visual, symbolic, and performative aspects of agrarian ecology, local spirituality, and adaptation to digital media. Findings reveal four main insights: (1) agrarian ecology is represented through performance aesthetics depicting rice fields, planting rituals, and fertility symbols; (2) agrarian spirituality is expressed through tembang, prayer, and ritual as forms of cultural resilience; (3) adaptation to digital media is achieved via cinematic editing aligned with YouTube’s algorithmic logic; and (4) Sandur acts as a living archive, preserving and renewing cultural memory in digital form. This study concludes that Sandur Rumah is both a traditional art form and a digital chronicle that sustains and reinterprets local wisdom through contemporary media.