Integrating computing techniques in preserving Makassar’s Pakarena dance heritage

Abstract

This interdisciplinary study bridges the cultural heritage of the Pakarena dance, a key element of Makassar ethnicity, with contemporary computing and informatics to examine its social implications, particularly in terms of identity formation, community transmission, and narrative preservation. Emphasizing the dance’s crucial role within the Makassar community, the research employs digital technologies for comprehensive data collection, analysis, and dissemination. Utilizing a qualitative framework supplemented by digital ethnography, the methodology includes in-depth interviews and participant observation, enriched with advanced data analysis and virtual reality (VR) presentations. This innovative approach facilitates the digital capture of the narratives and experiences of dance practitioners, cultural experts, and community members, ensuring the preservation of the dance’s cultural narrative and expression. The study reveals that the Pakarena dance is not only a bearer of the Makassar community’s history and traditions but also a platform for individual creativity and cultural identity, adapting while preserving its core in the face of societal shifts. The findings highlight the potential of computing and informatics in cultural preservation, suggesting new methods for documenting, analyzing, and promoting intangible cultural heritage. The study advocates for the use of technology to enhance and perpetuate cultural heritage, especially for younger generations, in our increasingly digital era.