When a Spell is Separated from Its Ritual: A Phenomenological Inquiry into Betawi Mantra in Urban Jakarta
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70904/Keywords:
Betawi ritual speech, urban heritage, descriptive phenomenology, Jakarta cultureAbstract
Betawi incantations, or jampi-jampi Betawi, historically emerged within intimate ritual settings that involved embodied performance, emotional atmosphere, and social meaning. In contemporary Jakarta, these incantations increasingly appear in non-ritual spaces such as festivals, schools, digital platforms, and everyday community gatherings. This study employs descriptive phenomenology to explore how listeners experience Betawi incantations when they are separated from their ritual origins. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seven cultural practitioners and community members, non-participatory observations at public cultural events, and document analysis of digital recordings and community archives. The analysis identified three essential experiential structures: performative traces rooted in rhythm, vocal texture, and bodily familiarity; affective resonance expressed through warmth, humor, and nostalgia; and identity marking that allows listeners to recognize Betawi cultural presence within Jakarta’s multicultural landscape. These findings reveal that the contemporary vitality of Betawi incantations does not rely on ritual authority but on multisensory engagement, emotional connection, and cultural signaling. The study contributes to broader discussions on oral tradition, cultural memory, and urban heritage by showing how embodied and affective experiences enable traditional vocal forms to persist and adapt within changing social environments.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Nicky Rosadi, Febby Pratama Putra (Author); Ines Nur Irawan (Translator)
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