Cultural Adaptation of Oesapa Coastal Community to Digital Technology

Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon of cultural change among the coastal community of Oesapa Village, Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara, in the face of massive advancements in digital technology. Using a qualitative-ethnographic approach, research data was collected through in-depth interviews and direct participant observation in the field with community leaders. The findings reveal that the introduction of modern technology particularly smartphones, online shopping platforms, and app-based transportation services has significantly transformed economic patterns, communication, and daily social interactions of the Oesapa coastal community. Nevertheless, the local community has not passively accepted these technologies. Instead, they have successfully leveraged digital technology as a new tool to strengthen the tradition of mutual aid, streamline coordination of social activities, and maintain community solidarity. Core local cultural values, such as courtesy, the mutual aid system during times of grief, and the active involvement of youth in decision-making processes, have proven to remain strongly preserved amidst modernization. These findings indicate that the process of global technological modernization and efforts to preserve local cultural values can coexist creatively within coastal communities. The researchers suggest that the use of this community-based technology should continue to be supported to maintain social harmony in the future.

Keywords: cultural change, coastal communities, technology

Abstrak

Penelitian ini mengkaji fenomena perubahan budaya masyarakat pesisir Kelurahan Oesapa, Kota Kupang, Nusa Tenggara Timur, dalam menghadapi arus perkembangan teknologi digital yang masif. Menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif-deskriptif, data penelitian dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam serta observasi partisipan langsung di lapangan bersama para tokoh masyarakat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa masuknya teknologi modern, terutama telepon pintar, sistem jual-beli online, dan transportasi berbasis aplikasi, telah membawa perubahan signifikan dalam pola ekonomi, gaya komunikasi, dan interaksi sosial harian masyarakat pesisir Oesapa. Meskipun demikian, masyarakat setempat tidak menerima kehadiran teknologi tersebut secara pasif. Mereka justru mampu memanfaatkan teknologi digital sebagai alat baru untuk memperkuat tradisi gotong royong, memperlancar koordinasi kegiatan sosial, dan menjaga solidaritas komunitas. Nilai-nilai budaya inti lokal, seperti sopan santun, sistem gotong royong dalam situasi kedukaan, dan pelibatan aktif pemuda dalam proses pengambilan keputusan, terbukti tetap terjaga kuat di tengah modernisasi. Temuan ini menunjukkan bahwa proses modernisasi teknologi global dan upaya pelestarian nilai budaya lokal dapat berjalan beriringan secara kreatif di lingkungan masyarakat pesisir. Peneliti menyarankan agar pemanfaatan teknologi berbasis komunitas ini terus didukung guna menjaga keharmonisan sosial di masa depan.

Kata kunci: perubahan budaya, masyarakat pesisir, teknologi