TRADISI HIDANG SEBAGAI SIMBOL KOMUNIKASI BUDAYA MINANGKABAU (Analisis Deskriptif Pada Pengurus Ikatan Keluarga Minangkabau di Malang)

Minangkabau culture is widely recognized for its rich traditions and symbolism, in which food plays a significant role in social communication and the preservation of cultural identity. This study aims to explore the cultural meanings embedded in the hidang tradition from the perspective of the administrators of the Minangkabau Family Association (Ikatan Keluarga Minangkabau [IKM]) in Malang City. The study employed a descriptive qualitative approach, using Herbert Blumer's Symbolic Interactionism as the analytical framework. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, documentation, and participant observation, and subsequently analyzed using data condensation, data display, and social meaning interpretation techniques. The findings reveal that the hidang tradition serves not only to fulfill physical needs but also functions as a social symbol and a medium of cultural communication. The presentation of food embodies values of togetherness, respect for guests, and customary social hierarchy. The social meanings of this tradition are constructed through interactions among community members, the roles of sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, the arrangement of dishes, as well as the practices and etiquette associated with serving and consuming food. Furthermore, the hidang tradition functions as a medium for cultural socialization among younger generations while adapting to modernization without compromising its traditional values. This study contributes to the academic discourse on cultural communication by highlighting the role of food as both a cultural symbol and a medium of social communication. Practically, the findings provide valuable insights for younger generations, the Minangkabau community, and culinary practitioners in understanding, preserving, and further developing the hidang tradition as an integral part of Minangkabau cultural identity.