Abstract:
This research aims to find the semantic field of hand activities in the manuping tradition. It attempts to describe in detail, the existing structures showing the relationship between the meanings of inter-lexemes in the manuping tradition in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. The researchers used qualitative research method with some characteristics, as suggested by Bogdan and Biklen (1998). These characteristics are as follows: (1) it uses natural settings as data sources and the researchers as the main instrument, (2) it is descriptive, (3) it is more concerned with the process than the results, (4) it tends to analyze data inductively, and (5) the meaning is the primary concern. This method is easibly used for researching the subject in the performance of manuping tradition. This method is very suitable to be used in this study as it examines the subject and is performed at a manuping tradition show. The result of the research is the meaning field of hand activities in the manuping tradition including, (1) holding, (2) touching, (3) taking, (4) carrying, (5) laying down, (6) throwing, (7) receiving, (8) ) giving, (9) opening, (10) withdrawing, (11) calling, and (12) pointing. A total of twenty-four lexemes refer to the hand activities of manuping tradition in Banjarese language. It is suggested that pollicymakers in the cultural field of the City Government of Banjarmasin should make use of the result as a design for determining the cultural policy. This result can also be used by the media to protect, maintain, develop, and preserve the existence of manuping tradition as a cultural wealth of Banjarese ethnicity.