Penguatan Identitas Lokal Dan Peringatan Hari Jadi: Mempertanyakan Kembali Hari Jadi Jember

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between local identity, local history, and anniversary commemorations in the context of Jember, with a focus on re-examining the meaning and relevance of its city anniversary. Employing a literature review method, the study analyzes various primary and secondary sources, including scholarly articles, local historical documents, and theoretical works on identity, local history, and commemorative rituals. The findings indicate that Jember’s anniversary is not merely an administrative or ceremonial event, but also a space for negotiating local identity, continuously shaped through the local history memory. Commemorative practices facilitate the construction of shared narratives about the city’s history and culture; however, official narratives often do not fully reflect the diverse history of the local community. The literature review reveals a tension between formal representation and community memory, where local history serves as an interpretive framework for re-reading the city’s history. Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of a critical approach to commemorative rituals, viewing them not only as symbols of pride but also as a medium for reflecting on the construction of local history and social dynamics. This research contributes to understanding how local history are intertwined in commemorative practices and opens space for dialogue on how communities reinterpret anniversaries as part of contemporary identity formation.