Experiences and Strategies of Self-Representation of Sunda Wiwitan Believers on Tiktok Social Media
Keywords:
Digital Communication, Social Media, Virtual Ethnography, Self-Representation, Minority GroupsAbstract
This research examines how Sunda Wiwitan believers represent their identity and spiritual values through TikTok. As a minority faith group, they utilize social media to expand their space for expression and build their existence in the digital space. This research uses a virtual ethnography approach, with observation of five TikTok accounts and in-depth interviews. This study found that Sunda Wiwitan believers utilize TikTok as a space for strategic and adaptive representations of identity and spirituality. The content they display reflects a combination of cultural expression, education, and identity protection through selective visibility strategies. Self-representation is not only seen in the form of visual content, but also in the way creators manage social interactions with audiences. TikTok, in this context, acts as both a medium and a social space where spiritual identity is negotiated amidst the challenges of the digital public sphere.
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