Voicing heartbreak: The sociopragmatics of ‘Cidra’ and Javanese masculinity in Didi Kempot’s lyrics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26555/bs.v45i2.1604Keywords:
Didi Kempot, Javanese , Masculinity, Popular Music , SociopragmaticsAbstract
This study investigates the representation of cidra (heartbreak or betrayal of promise) and the construction of Javanese masculinity in Didi Kempot’s song lyrics through a sociopragmatic approach. Drawing on seven songs from four albums, the analysis proceeds in three steps: (1) segmenting the lyrics into expressive speech acts, (2) interpreting them through affective cultural scripts, and (3) situating the findings within masculinity discourses. The results reveal a tripartite model of male emotionality: (1) loyalty and patience that affirm Javanese cultural values, (2) emotional fragility expressed through crying and complaint, which challenges the script of stoic masculinity, and (3) resignation (lilo) as a culturally sanctioned coping mechanism. These dimensions converge into the concept of hybrid masculinity, which reconciles normative ideals with emotional expressions previously deemed inappropriate for Javanese men. Theoretically, this study contributes a sociopragmatic framework for analyzing emotional speech acts in non-Western contexts and positions popular music not only as a reflection but also as a site for reshaping gender norms. Practically, it demonstrates how Didi Kempot’s songs function as a form of collective cultural therapy, offering insights for culturally sensitive approaches to men’s mental health.
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