Digital Literacy and Cultural Expression: How TikTok Reimagines Traditional Dance

Abstract

This study explores how traditional dance is reimagined and performed within the digital ecosystem of TikTok, focusing on the experiences of dance instructors at Yayasan Ayodya Pala, a cultural institution in Indonesia. Using a qualitative case study approach and guided by the Social Construction of Reality, the Culture of Connectivity, and Crystallization, the research investigates how cultural meanings are constructed, negotiated, and circulated in algorithmic environments. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with three instructors from different generations, revealing how they integrate digital literacy into pedagogical practices and cultural preservation efforts. The findings show that TikTok functions not only as a promotional and educational medium but also as a platform for cultural negotiation—where instructors balance tradition with digital aesthetics to reach broader, younger audiences. This study highlights the role of digital literacy as a form of cultural competence, positioning dance instructors as cultural mediators who adapt sacred and artistic expressions into participatory digital formats. In doing so, the research contributes to our understanding of how traditional arts evolve in response to platform-driven dynamics and youth engagement in the digital age.