JAVANESE KERIS MYSTIFICATION DISCOURSE ON THE SURAKARTA KERIS MARKET

Abstract

Keris is a cultural heritage of Indonesia, especially Jawa, which has been recognize worldwide. In traditional Javanese mystical culture, keris has a special position as tosan aji or an object that is considered to have magical powers. In modern times, the mystification of the keris occurs in a way that is different from the patterns of discourse in traditional societies. In modern times, the mystification discourse is created entirely through a process that involves the keris community and the keris market. Through discourse that strengthen in new spaces in the modern era, mystification is created and forms a clear hyperreality of the keris as cultural object, both among the keris community and the wider public. This research aim to see how the mystification discourse develops and hyperreality is created. The results of this study found that mystification occurs through the market with indications that keris traders/exchangers use mystical narrative to increase the price of the keris they sell. The higher the mystical element in a keris, the higher the price. On the other hand, consumers are exposed to this mystical discourse, and perceive keris ownership as a part of identity that cannot be separated from everyday life. In this way, mystification produces hyperreality among the keris community.