The Relevance of Belis Tradition in The Digital Era: A Millennial Generation Perspective in East Nusa Tenggara Through Youtube

DOI

10.2991/978-2-38476-418-1_2How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Belis; Millennial Generation; YouTube; Critical Discourse Analysis; Michael Foucault

Abstract

The belis tradition in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) represents a symbol of respect in marriage that is deeply rooted in the local culture. However, the millennial generation presents new challenges to this tradition, particularly in the digital era. This study aims to analyze millennials’ perspectives on the belis tradition through discussions presented on the YouTube platform. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method with Michel Foucault’s critical discourse analysis approach, focusing on power relations and the production of knowledge within public discourse. The primary data were obtained from a YouTube video titled “Tradisi Belis (Mahar Kawin) Mahal! Pandangan Anak Milenial NTT” (The Expensive Belis Tradition: Millennials’ Perspectives in NTT).” The video was analyzed in-depth along with the accompanying viewer comments. The findings reveal that the belis tradition is still respected as a cultural symbol, but millennials criticize the high costs of belis, which are considered a financial burden that often hinders marriage. This generation also advocates for reforming the belis tradition to make it more relevant to current social and economic conditions without losing its essential values. The discourse analysis reveals tensions between preserving tradition and embracing modernity. The pro-belis discourse emphasizes the importance of respecting women and families through the continuation of this tradition. Conversely, the anti-belis discourse criticizes belis as a form of economic exploitation that burdens men. Millennials, through digital media, articulate a new discourse proposing an adaptation of belis values to balance cultural aspects with pragmatic needs.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Download article (PDF)

TY  - CONF
AU  - Asriyanti Saputri Gesiradja
AU  - Sri Kusumo Habsari
AU  - M. Wakit
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/06/06
TI  - The Relevance of Belis Tradition in The Digital Era: A Millennial Generation Perspective in East Nusa Tenggara Through Youtube
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Cultural Studies (ICCUS 2024)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 4
EP  - 19
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-418-1_2
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-418-1_2
ID  - Gesiradja2025
ER  -