Kuningan, January 30, 2025 — Two students from the Library and Information Science (PSI) Study Program at Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD) have completed a significant study on cultural preservation efforts. The research, titled “Knowledge Management in Preserving the Seren Taun Tradition in Cigugur, Kuningan,” highlights how an indigenous tradition can endure through effective knowledge management in the face of modern challenges.
The research was led by students Fina Apriyana and Naresh Aurelia Berliana, under the guidance of lecturers Ute Lies Siti Khadijah and Saleha Rodiah. The study’s background is the importance of the Seren Taun traditional ceremony in Cigugur, Kuningan, which is rich in cultural value. The objective was to examine how the knowledge related to this ceremony is managed and passed down from one generation to the next.
Using a qualitative approach with a case study design, the research team collected data through observation, in-depth interviews with tribal elders, Seren Taun committee members, and community leaders, as well as document analysis. This approach allowed the researchers to comprehensively understand how human, organizational, and technological aspects interact to preserve this tradition.
The research findings indicate that knowledge management of the Seren Taun tradition relies heavily on three main aspects: human (the knowledge and expertise of the elders and community leaders), organizational (the role of the Tri Mulya Tri Wikrama Foundation and the committee), and technological (the use of social media and digital platforms). The collaboration among these three aspects proved to be crucial in managing and disseminating knowledge about the ceremony.
However, the study also identified several challenges, such as a lack of systematic documentation and limited youth participation. To address these issues, the study recommends strategies including the development of a digital documentation system, cultural education programs for the youth, and leveraging information technology for broader promotion.
This academic publication provides practical insights for other indigenous communities striving to preserve their cultural heritage. The research also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education), which focuses on cultural education, and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), which emphasizes the preservation of cultural heritage.
The article has been published in the Sinta 4 Journal, Informatio. It is hoped that these findings will serve as a valuable reference for indigenous communities and local governments in formulating more effective and sustainable cultural preservation strategies in the digital era.
The publication results can be accessed via the following link: http://media.unpad.ac.id/files/publikasi/2025/rpm_20250201124304_6510.pdf
Writers: Ridha Amalia, Nadziva Shaqeena, and Muhammad Ihsan Fauzul Haq
