PEMAKNAAN SIMBOLIK IKAT KEPALA SINGAL MELALUI KOMUNIKASI ARTIFAKTUAL PADA UPACARA ADAT IRAW TENGKAYU (Studi pada Masyarakat Pelaku Upacara Adat Iraw Tengkayu di Kota Tarakan)

In the implementation of the Iraw Tengkayu traditional ceremony, the Singal headcloth constitutes an essential element commonly worn by men. The Singal headcloth is interpreted in various ways by ceremony participants based on their lived experiences and cultural backgrounds. In recent developments, the use of Singal, originally intended as a marker of Tidung ethnic identity, has increasingly failed to consistently adhere to established customary norms. The use of the Singal headcloth that does not conform to traditional regulations, coupled with the limited dissemination of information through mass media, raises concerns regarding the erosion of its sacred values and the potential shift in symbolic meaning across generations. This study aims to describe and analyze the process of symbolic meaning-making of the Singal headcloth through artifactual communication within the Iraw Tengkayu traditional ceremony. The research employs a qualitative approach with an interpretative and ethnographic design. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation involving eight research participants selected using purposive sampling techniques. All data were analyzed using Spradley’s ethnographic data analysis model, with data validity ensured through source triangulation.
The findings reveal that the diverse meanings attributed to the Singal headcloth are constructed through cultural processes shaped by social interactions among participants of the Iraw Tengkayu ceremony, as well as through symbolic communication manifested in colors, motifs, and the direction of the Singal folds. These symbols are collectively understood, negotiated, and transmitted across generations. However, the study also identifies a generational gap in the symbolic interpretation of the Singal headcloth within the context of the Iraw Tengkayu ceremony. Older generations tend to interpret the Singal headcloth based on its historical and sacred values, whereas younger generations predominantly interpret it in terms of visual appeal and functional aspects.