This study aimed to describe and explain the expression of the ethnic Osing culture in the folk song. The study used a qualitative design by utilizing a hermeneutic approach to understanding the ...meaning. Data were the text of Banyuwangi folk songs collected by document studies and interviews and analyzed by the following steps: data reduction, presentation, interpretation, and conclusion. This study understood the meaning under the level of semantic, reflective, and existential. The findings showed that the Banyuwangi folk songs expressed the ethnic Osing personality, social behavior, and environmental knowledge of the ethnic Osing. Osing people are simple, accepting of reality, obedient to their parents, careful in making decisions, humble, and have futuristic views. The social behavior of the Osing tribe includes getting along at work, maintaining togetherness in ritual traditions, caring for neighbors, and obeying ethics. Osing people know various types of animals, plants, and material objects that surround and fulfill their life needs. This knowledge describes their concern and scope of perception in their interaction with the natural environment. These findings have a significant contribution to anyone interested in recognizing local cultural attitudes and behaviors and developing learning materials and references for further research.
