Four academics, Samson CMS, Kusnandar, Wina Erwina, and Pawit M. Yusup, have published an important book titled “Literasi Budaya: Mengenal dan Membangun Jati Diri Bangsa”. The book, published in 2024, is an effort to support the government’s National Literacy Movement (GLN) program, specifically within its cultural and citizenship literacy pillars.
The background for this book is a response to the challenges of national character building. The authors aim for every Indonesian citizen to have the ability to understand and adopt a wise attitude towards the nation’s diverse culture. According to them, the public’s ability to accept, adapt, and act wisely amidst this diversity is what will become the true source of Indonesia’s strength in the face of global competition.
Broadly, the book discusses cultural literacy as a crucial foundation for strengthening national identity. Its discussion is comprehensive, examining various topics ranging from the basic concept of cultural literacy, knowledge-sharing practices in rural environments, to the vital role of village libraries as centers for community learning and cultural preservation.
More deeply, the book also highlights the importance of indigenous knowledge systems and the documentation of local wisdom. One of the case studies presented is the preservation of tradition through cultural stories from the Tatar Karang region, including the exploration of meaning and symbolism in wawadahan (ceremonial utensils). The entire book emphasizes the close relationship between cultural literacy, identity, and the relevance of local heritage in the modern era.
The authors invite readers to reflect through a Sundanese proverb, “peso pangot ninggang lontar daluan katinggang mangsi sugan katuliskeun diri,” which signifies the hope that knowledge may be documented. They highlight that even from small fragments of culture, such as Sundanese ceremonial tools, a wealth of knowledge is contained.
“How wise and prudent our ancestors were in creating their cultural works. This indigenous knowledge can be our strength in creating for kiwari (today) and baring supagi (the future),” the authors write in their introduction. This book serves as an affirmation that ancestral heritage is not obsolete, but rather a source of strength to face the challenges of the times.
The full article is available at: http://media.unpad.ac.id/files/publikasi/2025/rpm_20250209192708_2152.pdf
Authors: Ridha Amalia, Nadziva Shaqeena, and Ariel Mohammad Alief Yusuf
