Commodification of Reyog Art in the Dynamics of Local Politics in Ponorogo, Indonesia

Abstract: The theory of commodification initiated by Vincent Mosco underwent a new evolution from what
initially saw commodities that could not be commercialized to become commercialized. Changes in the form
of commodity values are the key to how slowly the changes occur. Through the research of Irianto (2016) and
Yulianto (2013), the change in commodification leads to culture as a commercialized commodity. This study
tries to develop a theory by looking at the phenomenon of reyog art not only as a commercial commodity, but
also as a political commodity for the power of the local elite. This research method uses a qualitative
approach to the type of phenomenological research. By using purposive sampling in interviews, there were
seven people who became informants. Interview data are also corroborated by observational data in the field
for several months with a focus on the political campaigns of the political elite. The results showed that the
local political elite used reyog as a political commodity or a means of mobilizing the masses. In addition, the
role of warok as the leader of reyog arts has a major role in the success of political campaigns. So that the
commodification of power is thick in local culture.