Transformasi Khombow dalam Bahasa Gerak: Penciptaan Tari Kreasi Baru Berbasis Budaya Sentani

Abstract

This study examined the creative process of the dance work "Khombow Bee," which transformed the cultural values of Khombow—Sentani bark cloth—into choreographic expression. Khombow was understood not merely as a craft material but as a representation of the relationship between humans and nature, embodying values of togetherness, communication, and environmental preservation in Sentani society. Through qualitative methods involving interviews, literature study, and audiovisual observation, this research explored how traditional Sentani movements were developed through contemporary approaches, particularly hip-hop/breaking techniques, to create a new dance creation that remained rooted in local values. The creative process followed Alma M. Hawkins' stages: exploration, improvisation, and forming. The resulting work was a group choreography performed by four male dancers, integrating movement, sound, and bark cloth properties as symbolic elements. The dance not only presented aesthetic aspects but also functioned as critical reflection on the declining availability of Khombow trees due to exploitation without conservation efforts. This study demonstrated that dance could serve as an effective medium for cultural preservation and environmental awareness, while enriching the discourse on contemporary dance development in Papua that dialogued between tradition and modernity.