The Function and Meaning of Headdress (Blangkon and Udeng) Amid Community Social Changes

The headdress, especially worn by men, is identical to the traditional Indonesian dress. Not only had the Javanese community, but most of Indonesia’s customs also used headdress to complement traditional clothing. People in Central Java call it Blangkon while those in East Java call it Udeng. Based on their naming and shapes, the headdress has deeper functions and meanings. It can reflect the customs and culture of a region. The shape of the headdress from Yogyakarta, Solo, and East Java especially Surabaya and Madura are different. Yogyakarta has a spherical Mondolan on the back side while Surabaya has a unique form of Udeng, shaped like a triangle reaching high up. This research used a qualitative descriptive method to obtain a description of the use of blangkon and udeng as well as their meanings. The data-collecting techniques are observation data collection, interviews, and documentation, while the data-analysis technique is a qualitative data analysis technique. Results of the study showed that headdress is used for 1) protecting the head from the hot sun, 2) showing social status which is influenced by the type of fabric and its motives, and 3) showing very synchronous personalities. Blangkon has expressed and implicit meanings, namely a) the people of Surabaya and Madura are depicted as rude and outspoken, b) the people of Central Java Island are refined and polite personality in speech.