Development of a Metaverse-Based Virtual Heritage Experience for the Preservation of Bantengan Performing Arts and Cultural Knowledge

Abstract

Bantengan is a traditional performing art originating from East Java that combines dance, traditional music, ritual elements, and local cultural values. As an important form of traditional cultural heritage, Bantengan faces preservation challenges due to modernization, changing lifestyles, and the decreasing interest of younger generations in traditional arts. Existing preservation efforts, such as photographs, videos, and written documentation, are often limited in providing interactive and engaging learning experiences. This study aims to develop a metaverse-based virtual heritage environment as an alternative medium for preserving and promoting Bantengan through an immersive digital experience. The research employed a Design and Development Research (DDR) approach involving cultural data collection through literature studies, observations, and interviews with Bantengan practitioners and communities, followed by virtual environment design, asset development, implementation using the Assemblr platform, and evaluation. The developed environment adopts a floating island concept that contains performer avatars, audience avatars, traditional musical instruments, ritual elements, and interactive information markers. Users can access the virtual environment through mobile devices by scanning a QR code. The results indicate that the developed virtual heritage environment successfully integrates cultural knowledge and interactive digital experiences, enabling users to explore and understand Bantengan more effectively. This study demonstrates the potential of metaverse technology as an innovative approach for preserving traditional performing arts and supporting cultural knowledge transmission in the digital era.