Women and traditional performing arts: Preserving heritage in the Sukabumi’s Dogdog Lojor

For generations, the Sundanese cultural tradition of ‘Dogdog Lojor’ has been preserved within the Kasepuhan Adat Sinar Resmi community. Since the 1980s, women’s participation in the traditional performance art has notably increased. This ethnographic study examines women’s evolving roles within ‘Dogdog Lojor’ through participant observation, in-depth interviews with three female performers and two traditional community leaders, and document analysis. Our findings reveal that women’s growing involvement in ‘Dogdog Lojor’ represents a significant shift in traditional Sundanese gender dynamics. Women now serve as singers, instrumentalists, and dancers, while also playing vital roles in preparations for the sacred ritual, ‘Seren Taun’. Their contributions enhance the artistic quality of performances while reflecting broader societal transformations. Through their participation in ancestral traditions, women demonstrate community loyalty and affirm their cultural identity. This development corresponds with Indonesia’s social progression, particularly the women’s emancipation movement, and illustrates evolving gender roles within both Kasepuhan Adat Sinar Resmi and wider Sundanese culture. Women’s engagement in ‘Dogdog Lojor’ not only enriches the art form but also ensures the transmission of Sundanese cultural heritage to future generations.