Cultural Representation of the Ngenger Tradition in Javanese Fiction: A Talcott Parsons’ Goal-Attainment Perspective

The ngenger tradition, a Javanese cultural practice of serving in the household of a higher-status family, is explored in this study as represented in Indonesian fiction written by Javanese authors between 1980 and 2000. This research specifically examines the goal aspects of ngenger through the analytical framework of Talcott Parsons’ action theory. Employing a qualitative design with an anthroposociological literary approach, the analysis draws on a corpus of Indonesian novels in which Javanese cultural elements are prominently embedded, including Para Priyayi, Pengakuan Pariyem, Canting, Tirai Menurun, Sekar, and Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk. Data were analyzed using Miles and Huberman’s interactive model, encompassing reduction, classification, and interpretation. The findings reveal that the goals of ngenger tradition in these literary works are oriented toward economic improvement, educational advancement, leadership cultivation, and social transformation, reflecting both individual aspirations and collective cultural values. These findings demonstrate how literature not only mirrors but also negotiates cultural practices within the structural-functional framework of society. The study contributes to literary and cultural scholarship by recontextualizing the ngenger tradition as a medium for understanding Javanese values and social change. Ultimately, this research affirms that the ngenger tradition remains a significant cultural lens for examining the intersection of literature, tradition, and social transformation in Indonesia.