MAKNA SIMBOL HARIMAU PADA PAKAIAN ADAT SAPEI SAPAQ SUKU DAYAK DI KOTA SANGATTA, KABUPATEN KUTAI TIMUR, PROVINSI KALIMANTAN TIMUR

Indonesia possesses numerous distinctive characteristics that are rarely found in other countries. One of its most prominent features is the diversity of ethnic groups spread throughout the archipelago. Indonesian culture is expressed through various forms, including traditional houses, customary ceremonies, traditional dances, musical instruments and songs, traditional foods, and traditional clothing. Traditional attire serves not only as a visual expression of local identity and character but also as a medium for communicating cultural values, which can be understood through the diverse symbols reflected in its intricate designs. Based on these considerations, it is both interesting and crucial to investigate the meaning and symbolic significance of the tiger motif found in the traditional Sapei Sapaq attire of the Dayak community in Sangatta, East Kutai Regency.

This study aims to understand the meaning of the tiger symbol in the Sapei Sapaq traditional clothing of the Dayak people in Sangatta, East Kutai Regency, as a representation of cultural identity, social status, and spiritual values. The research employed a qualitative approach using a descriptive phenomenological method and involved five key informants with in-depth knowledge of Dayak traditions and tiger symbolism. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation, and were analyzed phenomenologically to reveal the symbolic meanings embedded in the attire.

The findings indicate that the tiger symbol embodies multidimensional meanings: it represents courage, strength, and spiritual protection; functions as a marker of social status and leadership; and serves as a medium for expressing cultural identity passed down through generations. The symbol is used exclusively by men, particularly customary leaders or individuals of noble lineage, both in clothing and ritual objects, and is consistently employed in marriage ceremonies, funeral rites, and ancestral spirit-calling rituals. This study underscores the importance of the tiger symbol as a means of cultural education, a reinforcement of community solidarity, and a tool for preserving tradition, while also providing ethical and spiritual relevance for younger generations of the Dayak community.