KONSTRUKSI MAKNA WARNA DALAM RITUAL RAMBU TUKA’: ANALISIS SEMIOTIKA ROLAND BARTHES PADA MASYARAKAT TORAJA

Abstract

This study examines the construction of color symbolism in the Rambu Tuka' ritual of the Torajan community through a cultural semiotic approach. The study is motivated by the tendency of previous research on Torajan culture to focus predominantly on death rituals, while visual symbolism in life-cycle rituals, particularly the use of colors, has received relatively limited scholarly attention. In fact, colors in traditional rituals function not only as aesthetic elements but also as systems of signs that represent the social, spiritual, and ideological values of the Torajan people. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach using Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis. Data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews with traditional leaders and community members, and visual documentation of the ritual. Data analysis was conducted through several stages, including color identification, sign classification, denotative analysis, connotative analysis, and the interpretation of cultural myths.