Community Festivals as Instruments for Intangible Cultural Heritage Preservation and Sustainable Development in Rural Tourism Destinations of East Lombok

Muh Nuh Ilyas; Calieya Apsari Hanafi

Authors

Muh Nuh Ilyas Universitas Bima Internasional
Calieya Apsari Hanafi Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 1 Lombok Timur

Keywords:

intangible culture, festival, community participation, tourism village, cultural sustainability

Abstract

This study aims to explore and analyse the role of the Dongdala Festival in Pringgasela Selatan Village in (1) preserving local cultural practices, (2) strengthening community capacity and participation, (3) generating social, cultural, and economic benefits for local residents, and (4) identifying challenges and adaptive strategies undertaken by the community to maintain the festival’s sustainability. An exploratory qualitative approach was employed, with data collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. The findings indicate that the Dongdala Festival is not merely a cultural performance event but also a social space for value regeneration, the expression of local identity, and culture-based economic empowerment. High levels of community participation have reinforced social cohesion and generated social capital that supports bottom-up development processes. Despite structural challenges, including dependence on central figures and limited formal support, the community has demonstrated adaptive capacity through innovative cultural presentations, integration into local education, and the utilisation of digital media. This study reinforces the argument that cultural preservation can progress alongside development when communities are positioned as primary agents. These findings provide both conceptual and practical contributions for the development of inclusive and sustainable community-based tourism villages.

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