Penguatan Kapasitas Komunitas Pelaku Kesenian Pekbung melalui Pendampingan Partisipatif untuk Pelestarian Budaya Lokal di Desa Wijirejo, Kabupaten Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta

Abstract

Pekbung is a traditional performing art that has long been preserved and practiced in Wijirejo Village, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. As an integral part of the local cultural heritage, Pekbung embodies significant historical, educational, and social values for the community. However, its sustainability has been challenged by several factors, including limited intergenerational succession among performers, inadequate organizational management within the artistic community, insufficient documentation of performances, and the underutilization of digital media for promotion and public engagement. These challenges threaten the continuity and visibility of Pekbung amid the growing influence of contemporary popular culture. This community service program aimed to strengthen the capacity of the Pekbung artistic community through a participatory mentoring approach to support the preservation of local cultural heritage. The program employed a participatory approach consisting of needs assessment, collaborative program planning, training and mentoring, practical implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The activities focused on strengthening community organization, enhancing the management capacity of the performing arts group, improving the documentation of cultural performances, and optimizing the use of digital media for dissemination and promotion. The results demonstrated significant improvements in the community members’ knowledge and skills in organizational management, performance documentation, and digital media utilization to broaden public outreach. Furthermore, the mentoring program enhanced community participation and reinforced members' commitment to sustaining Pekbung as an important expression of local cultural identity. Overall, this community engagement initiative contributed to strengthening community capacity while promoting community-based cultural heritage preservation.