REVITALISASI SENI RAPA'I SEBAGAI MEDIA PENGEMBANGAN MOTORIK DAN SPIRITUAL AUD

Abstract

Rapa'i is a traditional Acehnese performing art rooted in the history of Islamic da'wah, originally used by the Rifa'iyyah order as a medium for preaching and reciting dhikr, prayers, and religious verses, which later developed into various performance forms such as Rapa'i Geleng, Rapa'i Pasee, and Rapa'i Dabôh. Amid the increasing dominance of global and digital culture in children's play activities, the transmission of local performing arts such as Rapa'i to the younger generation, particularly early childhood, faces serious challenges. This article aims to examine the concept of revitalizing Rapa'i art as a medium for developing early childhood motor and spiritual abilities, to describe the forms of Rapa'i-based activities that can be adapted for early childhood education, and to analyze the contribution of these activities to children's gross and fine motor development as well as their spiritual and religious values. This study uses a qualitative approach with a literature review (library research) method, collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing books, national and international journal articles, and historical documentation related to Rapa'i art and early childhood development. The results show that simplified and age-appropriate Rapa'i activities, involving rhythmic hand-tapping movements, synchronized body movements in Rapa'i Geleng-style dance, and the recitation of religious verses (syair) and dhikr, are able to stimulate children's gross motor coordination, fine motor dexterity, sense of rhythm, as well as religious and moral values such as gratitude, remembrance of God, discipline, and cooperation. The article concludes that the revitalization of Rapa'i art through developmentally appropriate adaptation offers an integrative and culturally rooted medium for simultaneously developing early childhood motor skills and spirituality, while also preserving local cultural heritage for future generations.