PANJHAKAS AN AGENT OF DEVELOPMENT FOR CHARACTER OF CULTURE

Abstract

This article is a result of an etnographic research that uses anthropological and historical perspective. This article looks at 1) the meaning of panjhak for the Madurese in Situbondo; 2) the role of panjhak as of an agent in the development of the character of culture in Situbondo; 3) the relation between panjhak and the Madurese in Situbondo. The result shows that for the Madurese in Situbondo, panjhak ia a figure that represents a 'ghuru'. A panjhak has a capability to articulate social and religious values to the people. The panjhak and the society has a dialectical relation which builds and developsthe character of culture in Situbondo. The panjhak plays his role as an agent in the development of the character of culture through self-reflection and constructing cultural identity in the performing arts.