Preservation of Traditional Arts through Training and Digital Documentation of Cultural Studios in Matotonan Village

Abstract

Matotonan Village in South Siberut District, Mentawai Islands Regency, is situated in the remote upper reaches of the Serereket River and serves as a final stronghold for the preservation of traditional Mentawai culture, including the Lia Pullaggajat ritual art and Turuk Lagai dance. However, the sustainability of this intangible cultural heritage is threatened by limited generational renewal within customary institutions, the dominance of oral tradition, and a lack of modern digital documentation. This Community Service (PkM) initiative aims to preserve traditional arts in Matotonan Village through capacity-building training for local cultural troupes and community-led digital documentation. The program employed a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach across four stages: ethnographic needs assessment; training in troupe management and digital documentation techniques; collaborative fieldwork involving Sikerei (traditional shamans) and the younger generation; and the dissemination of a digital repository. The results demonstrate a significant improvement in the ability of troupe managers to operate audio-visual documentation equipment, craft cultural narratives, and manage digital media channels. Furthermore, the initiative successfully produced a digital repository comprising ritual recordings, catalogs of traditional attire and artifacts, and videos of the Turuk Lagai dance. The program has positively impacted the strengthening of cultural identity and laid the groundwork for sustainable cultural tourism in Matotonan