Transforming traditional kerinci carving motifs into creative products: a qualitative study of cultural transmission and heritage sustainability
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Abstract
Traditional Kerinci carvings on vernacular buildings such as Rumah Larik, Bilik Padi and ancient mosques are cultural heritage that embody aesthetic, symbolic, and historical values, as well as representing the identity of the Kerinci community. However, the existence of these carvings is currently threatened by the physical degradation of buildings, the discontinuation of carving craftsmen regeneration, and the lack of awareness and preservation policies from heirs and related agencies. This study aims to formulate strategies for utilising and transferring carvings into creative economic products, particularly in the craft sub-sector. It is a qualitative study using a cultural ethnographic, aesthetic, and symbolic analysis approach, as well as a participatory approach. Data was collected through observation, interviews, and literature studies, then analysed interpretively. The results of the study show that traditional Kerinci carving motifs are relevant to be transformed into contemporary craft products, such as furniture, batik, souvenirs, and interior design. This transformation is an adaptive strategy to bridge cultural preservation with community economic empowerment. The utilisation of carvings in the creative economy requires an integrated strategy that includes design innovation, community empowerment, intellectual property protection, and institutional and agency support to create a sustainable creative ecosystem rooted in local cultural identity.
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