The Semiotics of Sambulayang among the Bajau Community in Semporna, Sabah

This study aims to analyze the symbolism of sambulayang in the Bajau community in Semporna based on a semiotic approach. Sambulayang is one of the traditional cultural heritage of the Bajau community that not only functions as a decoration on the lepa, but also carries symbolic meaning related to cultural identity, social values, and the way of life of coastal communities. However, studies related to semiotic analysis of sambulayang are still not given much attention by previous researchers. Therefore, this study was carried out to identify the symbolic elements found in sambulayang, analyze the meaning of denotation and connotation contained in sambulayang, as well as describe the function of sambulayang as a symbol of the cultural identity of the Bajau community. This study uses a qualitative approach by utilizing the method of visual observation and research on secondary sources such as books, scientific articles, research reports. The research data was analyzed using the semiotic theory of Roland Barthes (1957) which emphasizes the concept of denotation and connotation in understanding the meaning of a cultural symbol. The results of the study found that the shape, color, and motif of sambulayang have certain symbolic meanings that are closely related to beliefs, aesthetic values, relationships with the sea, and the identity of the Bajau community in Semporna. This study contributes to the development of knowledge in the field of cultural semiotics as well as helping the preservation of the Bajau community's cultural heritage, especially in Semporna, Sabah.

sambulayang, semiotics, cultural identity, Bajau society

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