"HIDUP SEGAN MATI TAK MAU": IDENTITY CRISIS AND THE CONCEPT OF REVITALIZATION OF THE KETALANG PETANG DANCE

Indeed, Art has an important role in life, however, its state of preservation vary across the region. Some arts can flourish throughout time, while others endure under particular circumstances, and the others are even threatened with extinction, such as in the Ketalang Petang Dance. This reflects the general condition of traditional art in Merangin Regency, Jambi Province - Indonesia. The proverb "hidup segan mati tak mau" symbolizes the identity dilemma of the Merangin people's traditional arts. An identity crisis in the context of traditional art occurs when a culture or group of artists faces severe issues regarding cultural heritage, traditional values, or the role of art in society, prompting revival efforts. This study aims to discover the elements that contribute to an identity crisis and proposes a revitalization strategy to conserve traditional art in the Merangin community of Jambi. The research approach adopted is qualitative, with the researcher providing as the primary instrument for data collection. The results of the study suggest that the identity crisis in traditional arts represents the difficulty that practitioners and communities experience in preserving the relevance of their cultural legacy in the contemporary era. Effective revitalization requires a holistic approach that focuses not only on preservation, but also on innovative adaptation, education, and promotion to ensure that traditional arts continue to thrive and be appreciated by future generations