| Summary: | The myths of Jaka Tarub and Tanabata contain unconsciousness of Javanese and
Japanese people. The unconscious aspects of these myths greatly influence Javanese and
Japanese mind, behavior, and society at large which are the primary determinants of their
personality. To understand the Javanese and Japanese unconscious mind and behavior, a proper
analysis and interpretation of Jaka Tarub and Tanabata are critical and essential which was the
principle aim of this research. This study uses anthropological method with Levi-Strauss
structural paradigm to analyse these two myths. According to Levi-Strauss myth analysis
technique, the first task was to identify and delineate from both myths their surface structures.
These surface structures were analyzed in regard to synchronic and diachronic characters in
order to find the mythemes. The second strategy involved analyzing and identifying the deep
structures of these mythemes, and thus contrasted and established their binary oppositions. The
results conclude that social status and marriage structures were delineated from Jaka Tarub and
Tanabata. Both Javanese and Japanese people have marriage preferences and prohibitions that
are related to the social status.
|
|---|