Cultural Identity in the Shackles of Modernization: The Case of Mentawai Indigenous Peoples

This study examines the Mentawai struggle to perform their cultural identity in the middle of hegemonic influence development and policies which contradicts their cultural identity and which gives rise to a cultural crisis. Critical anthropology's view shows that humans have the potential to create creativity and customisation. However, the Mentawai are limited and suppressed by social factors, cultural conditions, and exploited by the authorities. It means that the reality as Mentawai is not created by nature, but by humans, who have the power to manipulate the condition and patent the meaning that suits his own mind that is full of conflict, illusion, and distortion. Mentawai are in a ‘false consciousness’ that modernisation helps them to see the better world and have consciously stuttered (cultural backwardness) from that subconscious condition. Culture is deliberately clashed with modernisation in various elements of life such as in customs, language, food, and lifestyle. Furthermore, the generalization of development programmes also intervenes to sharpen the domination to narrow down the socio-cultural life of the Mentawai. However, they are not rigid. They practice cultural tactics (cultural meaning) in order to keep up with modernisation. They also consider modernisation and globalization as ‘interaction spaces’ in which the contestation of various elements of human life take place.

Globalization brings significant changes to local cultural identities through the influence of media, technology, and migration. Global cultures often dominate local cultures, creating challenges for societies that previously had stable cultural identities. This transformation has an impact on the way people interpret their collective identity. Although many studies have addressed the impact of globalization on cultural identity, an in-depth understanding of this transformation process is still limited. This research aims to fill this gap by examining the interaction between global and local cultures and how they form new, more complex identities. Using a qualitative approach with case study methods in Yogyakarta, Bali, and Bandung, this study collects data through in-depth interviews, participatory observations, and document analysis. The results show that the transformation of cultural identity is different in each region. In Yogyakarta, local culture remains dominant despite the influence of modern art; in Bali, globalization is seen in tourism that combines local and global cultures; while in Bandung, global pop culture is accepted by the millennial generation without leaving local identity. This research reveals that cultural adaptation creates a dynamic identity, where people choose relevant global elements, enriching cultural expression without losing local values

In the rapidly evolving era of globalization, children in Indonesia face significant challenges in preserving their local cultural identity. Several factors contribute to this, including low interest in literature based on local culture and the strong influence of global culture, which dominates children’s media and education. Local culture-based literacy is a solution to strengthen children’s cultural awareness and local identity. This study aims to analyze the role of local culture-based literacy in shaping children’s cultural identity amidst globalization. Additionally, it seeks to identify the challenges in implementing such literacy and explore potential solutions. The research method used is a literature review, collecting relevant scholarly articles on local culture-based literacy and children’s cultural identity. This study examines existing research findings to identify factors influencing the effectiveness of cultural literacy in strengthening children’s cultural identity in the globalization era. The results indicate that local culture-based literacy positively shapes children’s cultural identity. This literacy enhances pride in local culture, despite challenges such as low reading interest in culturally-based materials, limited access, and the influence of global culture, which remain significant obstacles. Furthermore, the use of technology and educator training can serve as solutions to address these challenges.

This paper explores the influence and expression of Shaoxing tea culture on local identity. Through the method of literature research, it analyzed the local symbolic role of Shaoxing tea culture from the correlation between Shaoxing tea culture and local identity, focusing on the inheritance and innovation of tea culture, social practices and activities, media and cultural products, etc., to reveal the important role of Shaoxing tea culture in deepening local identity and promoting social cohesion. The study found that Shaoxing tea culture has become an important cultural symbol of the Shaoxing region through the inheritance of historical traditions and innovative development. It has promoted exchanges and interactions between local residents and tourists through the organization of a variety of tea culture festivals and activities, and it has further enriched the forms of expression of local identity through media publicity and the promotion of cultural products. Future research can explore the differences in the influence of tea culture on the identities of different social groups, as well as the relationship between tea culture and other local cultures, so as to provide more in-depth theoretical and practical support for the construction of local cultural identity. This study aimed to provide theoretical and practical references for the inheritance and development of Shaoxing tea culture, and to provide new perspectives and ideas for the study of local cultural identity.

To local geographical and cultural connotations of stretch point, demonstrates the enormous cultural significance and role of local excellent place to nurture the core values of college students, when presented with excellent local culture nurture the core values of the local college students.

Abstract- The times have created an identity crisis that has led to the fading of cultural diversity. This has caused many buildings in Indonesia today that have acted on behalf of or made the building have a local identity to reflect culture. The local identity used should not only be in the physical part of the building, but also have concepts and meanings applied. One of the local identity can be reflected through the expression of the building. A good building expression is a building that can pay attention to the local identity of the local culture in the building. This study aims to determine the local identity contained in the object of study, related to the expressions observed by observers. The object of study needs to be examined and studied further about the concept of Tri Angga used, and the representation of Bali that is reflected through the building, so that it can be known whether the object of study displays local Balinese identity or not. This evaluation discusses the conclusions of local identity in the case study building expressions and what should be done so that the local identity of Bali is more felt in the object of research. The theory used to support this research is the evaluation of architecture, local identity, architectural expression, identity and expression of Balinese architecture. The expression theory uses the Building Quality Theory by Kevin Lynch in 1960. The aspects of expression theory are chosen according to the explanations relevant to the object of study, form simplicity, visual scope, directional differentiation, and dominance. The method used in this study uses qualitative methods with descriptive, analytic, and interpretative approaches. The results of the study were to evaluate the local identity contained in the Katamama Hotel building expressions, which were assessed based on the theory of building quality. Local identity in the research object is in the aspect of dominance / dominance. The identity used is only found in the Bali brick material used in the scope of the building. Katamama Hotel does not use Balinese concepts, which rights are a characteristic or identity of Balinese architecture. The quality of buildings such as visual scope in the shape of the building is the main expression to be displayed. The brick material with gaps obtained from the brick structure makes a visual impression that can be felt by visitors, and is in accordance with the concept designed by the architect of the building by paying attention to lighting and shadows. While the quality of directional differentiation and form simplicity in buildings, both the shape of the building and the arrangement of the space become an aspect that is less attention to the Katamama Hotel. The benefit of this research is to provide an in-depth understanding of local identity and the importance of maintaining local wisdom, educating the public about the expression and its relation to local architectural identity with examples of real objects, so that physical and non-physical elements can be seen, enriching knowledge, especially culture local archipelago, as well as adding theoretical study studies on local expression and identity, as well as their relation to national identity. Key words: Evaluation, local identity, expression, Bali

The objectives of this research were to examine identities regarded as local wisdom and cultural capital of Pa Tum Community in Phrao district, Chiang Mai province, to create a corporate identity set and sale promotion media for the community, and to assess the satisfaction of consumers with community products, the corporate identify set, and the sale promotion media. The research instrument: for the first objective, it was qualitative research to collect the data about community identities. The quota sampling method was applied to select the sample group, which included two community leaders, two folk scholars, four entrepreneurs, five community members, and two concerned state officials. An in-depth interview was used to collect the data and the SWOT Analysis. For the second objective, it was applied research, the process of applied art design, and modern marketing knowledge. The purposive sampling method was used to select the population and the sample group, which included one of the five community entrepreneur groups. An in-depth interview with semi-structured interview questions and an observation were used to gather the data. The data were then synthesized for creating the corporate identity set and the sale promotion media. The instrument was a quality assessment of the identity set by three experts on the beauty of the logo, colors, fonts, and other design components. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was applied to assess the quality of the instrument. For the third was also conducted a satisfaction assessment with the reliability of the questionnaire at 0.96 by applying the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The sample group was 100 tourists and the general public interested in the community products. The data were statistically analyzed for mean, percentage, and standard deviation. The results were discussed descriptively. The research results revealed that the food identity of the community is from cultivating sugarcanes and beans and the process of agricultural produce, which has led to the development of the community products: peanut bars in sugarcane molasses and local dishes for community tourism. The creation of the corporate identity set and the sale promotion media consisted of a product logo, packaging, 2D motion media, and video media for publicizing the products in various channels. The satisfaction assessment revealed that the satisfaction was highest with the mean of 4.6 on the continued development of local wisdom to produce value-added products and generate incomes to community members. It was followed by the satisfaction with the product logo designed with interesting and easy-to-understand images and conveying the products, community identity and entrepreneurs; with the graphic work on the packages designed with beautiful, interesting and clear messages; and with the graphic motions on the making of the blocked sugarcane molasses and the processing of the peanut bars in sugarcane molasses designed with interesting and easy-to-understand background of the products as well as clear sound and images, all of them with the mean of 4.5. In addition to business knowledge for community product development, developers and corporate identity communication must depend on creativity. Therefore, researchers collaborating with communities must emphasize creativity as well. It is not only new knowledge or innovation, but local culture, wisdom, and cultural identities must be exploited for economic values. For community product development to become sustainable, community cooperation must be established, because community residents are the ones who will continue the operations. As a consequence, researchers must coordinate and seek key successes, which may be community residents of working age or new generations who will pass on and preserve culture and arts, wisdom, and identities.

The research on Culture Characteristics of Baotou City: Public Art Design and Cultural Space Management in Kundulun District is a study of urban culture and public art that explores the relationship between urban culture and public art and the role of public art in promoting urban culture. It focuses on classifying and exploring local culture, synthesizing artistic symbols and language into new design approaches through public art. The objectives of this research are: 1) to study the historical development and characteristics of Baotou's art and culture; 2) to analyze the identity, value, and meaning of Baotou's art and culture, and and integrate them into the concept of public art design to promote Baotou's image; and 3) to design a set of 3D public art works in the cultural area of Kundulun District, Baotou, using documentary research, field research, and interdisciplinary research. In studying the local culture of Baotou, it changed the direction of urban construction from urban expansion to quality development and promoted cultural and spiritual identity through public art to the integration of local culture and design. The research results showed that Baotou's culture has been positioned as a "steel city with a background of grassland culture". This identity can be used to disseminate the culture of the city by classifying cultural elements into symbols and applying them to the structure of the urban space through public art forms, enhancing the city's cultural identity and increasing its recognizability. The synthesis of the composition was carried out from two perspectives: color and material composition and shape composition. The cooling tower composition is one of the important and prominent structures of the steel mill, and the Mongolian horse is an important vehicle on the grassland as it represents spirit of perseverance and hard work. The “Cooling Tower” element is large, eye-catching and easily recognizable. Therefore, the meaning of "Prairie Horse' is combined and conveyed through the merging of the shape of the Mongolian horse and the shape of the cooling tower. This fusion creates a perfect combination of the elements of grassland culture and the elements that represent iron culture.

This study examines the perceptions of students in the Communication Science Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau on the impact of TikTok usage in shaping cultural identity and nationalism in the era of globalization. The research aims to analyze how TikTok, as a popular digital social media platform, influences students’ views and attitudes toward local culture and national identity. Using a mixed-method approach through questionnaires distributed to 50 respondents and in-depth interviews with active TikTok users, this study explores patterns of content consumption and production related to cultural and national themes. The findings indicate that while TikTok enables students to express and promote local cultural elements—such as traditional dances, local cuisine, and regional languages—there is also a risk of cultural identity dilution due to exposure to global content. Regarding nationalism, the results show limited active engagement, as students tend to consume rather than produce content with nationalistic messages. The study highlights the relevance of Uses and Gratifications Theory, Social Identity Theory, and Digital Nationalism Theory in understanding these phenomena. In conclusion, TikTok has the potential to strengthen cultural identity and nationalism among youth if used wisely and creatively. Educational institutions and policymakers are encouraged to facilitate programs and digital literacy to support the creation of cultural and national content that appeals to young audiences.

Although some scholars raise alarm about societal harm emerging from Big Data practices, critical social theory (CST) Information Systems research on the structures and dynamics driving Big Data practices is rare. In this research commentary, we interrogate how tech firms use social practices and platform design to strategically manipulate individuals into accepting datafication and data assetization that accrue positive data network effects for themselves and mostly negative data network effects (economic loss, social and privacy harm) for individuals. We draw on the ideas of Heidegger and Marcuse to critically question the Big Data paradigm in order to develop better understanding of the social implications for individuals and society. Using the concepts of false consciousness, digital entrapment, and Faustian bargains, we critically inquire into the Big Data practices that keep us tethered to digital platforms. Specifically, we interrogate sociomaterial structures that socially condition individuals into a digital habitus and to identify themselves as homo digitalis, who view all their “relations” (social and economic) as digital. This social conditioning reproduces a false consciousness that constricts our worldview, undermines our rational choices, and enables the risky compromises we make with tech companies that manipulate and exploit us with their increasingly oppressive Big Data practices and related dark patterns. We critically analyze the case of Microsoft Viva to provide an illustration of how mundane digital tools can condition our reality and entrap us into an open prison. We argue that if we do not critically interrogate our false consciousness of the digital and understand how digital giants colonize our social systems by structurally embedding Big Data practices, we will continue to be susceptible to manipulation and digital entrapment. Ongoing risky compromises with tech firms will erode the very foundations of the “good life,” freedom, liberty, and personal privacy, and they will institutionalize the open prison. The CST explanation we propose and the research agenda we outline are meant to encourage research into solutions to the digital entrapment problem. History: Suprateek Sarker, Senior Editor; Robert Gregory, Associate Editor. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2020.0588 .

This study examines the dominance of Western knowledge in the education system of modern Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) in Indonesia and proposes decolonization to strengthen local cultural and intellectual identities. The influence of globalization is reflected in the adoption of curricula that integrate Western values and knowledge, which, while aiming to enhance educational quality, often neglect local cultural values and identities. This situation potentially leads to the erosion of Islamic cultural identity. Colonialism in education manifests in two forms: structural, involving physical dominance and political control, and cultural, encompassing ideological and cultural dominance through educational institutions. Gramsci's Cultural Hegemony Theory elucidates how the dominant class propagates its culture and ideology, as seen in the dominance of Western knowledge within modern pesantren. This research aims to evaluate the impact of integrating local knowledge into the pesantren curriculum on student outcomes and to identify effective decolonization strategies within Islamic education in Indonesia. The goal is to create a pesantren education system that is more inclusive and respectful of local cultural identities and Islamic knowledge, free from the dominance of Western values and methodologies. Using a literature review method, this study concludes that emphasizing decolonization strategies in the modern pesantren curriculum is essential for strengthening local cultural identities and equipping students with critical and creative thinking skills without losing their cultural identity

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to offer a framework for considering the interplay between local (national) and global (world-based) identities and consumption practices with attention to various conceptualizations and measurements of consumer cultural identity.Design/methodology/approachThis is a conceptual paper reviewing major works on consumer cultural identities and offering a framework for future considerations of the interplay between global and local identities.FindingsThe framework identifies two dimensions which underlie consumer cultural identity conceptualizations and measurements: first, consumer engagement with globalization–localization discourses, and second, more general identity beliefs vs consumption-based identity beliefs. Clustering and categorical measure approaches (vs a compensatory approach) are preferred for identifying and exploring global/local/glocal and unengaged consumer cultural identity segments. Research foci should guide use of global and/or local general identity vs consumption-based identity beliefs as predictors of marketplace outcomes or as segmentation variables.Research limitations/implicationsThe conceptualization of consumer cultural identity is based on Berryet al.’s (1986) early work on acculturation and Arnett’s (2002) bicultural identity theorizing, and thus the authors acknowledge four consumer segments, those with: stronger global (weaker local) identity, stronger local (weaker global) identity, strong global and local identities and those unengaged with global–local discourses. The authors review measurement approaches to examine consumer cultural identity and determine that categorical and clustering (vs compensatory) approaches are consistent with the conceptualization of consumer cultural identity segments.Practical implicationsInternational marketers can gain insights into major conceptualizations and measurements of consumer cultural identity, and understand the advantages and limitations of different measurement approaches. The authors highlight two important dimensions underlying cultural identity that demand managers’ attention and consideration for strategic decisions. Social implications – this paper brings attention to various conceptualizations and measures of consumer cultural identity, highlighting the need to further examine differences between various cultural identity segments, specifically the unengaged consumers and glocally engaged consumers.Originality/valueThe paper provides a broadened lens to understanding conceptualizations and measurements of consumer cultural identity, identifying two dimensions underlying consumer cultural identity: consumer engagement with globalization–localization discourses, and more general identity beliefs vs consumption-based identity beliefs.

To bring local identity into material culture – into the design of buildings, interiors and products – is a part of socio-cultural well-being and social sustainability. In the contemporary era of globalisation and unification in material culture, it is very important to maintain and apply elements and concepts that are special and unique for single localities and regions. Cultural identity and tradition are inseparable parts of every society and can influence the character of a local built-environment and its elements. This “DNA” of society indirectly affects the typology/morphology and semiotics of crafted products and architecture, and it creates the basics of the design language of a country or region. Local identity can be understood as the essence of a cultural heritage and genius loci and plays a very important part in self-identification. This is unfortunately very often misinterpreted in the design of contemporary building or products. Although there exist many research studies in the field of ethnography, cultural anthropology, history and archaeology, they are very rarely available and understandable for architects, designers, investors, producers and services providers directly in the regions. Preserving local identity is also a big challenge for local industry and eco-tourism. The last part of the study is questioning the ways of working with “the known” and shows some examples from Europe and Slovakia. After an evaluation of the relation between regional identity and wellbeing, we have set four main issues dealing with local identity as reflected in material culture that contribute to the well-being of users during all kind of interactions with built environment, and these are: attachment to place –building a self- and social group identity; comfort from interaction with “the known” – shared cultural values and signs, archetypes, and stereotypes; authentic experience and satisfaction through one’s own hands-on experience and interaction with handcrafted objects. Together with the phenomena of local self identity, they are explored further on in the paper. The paper also shows the first results of the project - IDENTITY.SK – a common platform of design, architecture and the social sciences in the form of regional concepts for products and services, coming from interdisciplinary literature and field research and storytelling.

The space for interaction in society is always influenced by religion and culture as binding aspects, both individually and in groups. This study aims to reveal how the relationship between culture and religion in the development of Toba Islam in Huta Sijungkang, Parlilitan sub-district, Humbang Hasundutan district. The study was conducted with a qualitative approach through interviews and literature studies. Based on research conducted in the development of Islamic religion in Huta Sijungkang, culture and religion are not two contradictory entities, but an inherent unity to regulate relations in society. This has made the people not patterned based on religion, so that cultural and religious dualism is not a conflict, but rather a cultural identity and values that continue to be lived by the Huta Sijungkang community. For society, religious differences are not a barrier in family ties, so there is an awareness to maintain the principles of togetherness and unity.Keyword: Relation; Culture; Religion; Huta Sijungkang.

This study aims to explore and interpret the philosophical values contained in Patennung Dance as a representation of the local cultural identity of the Bugispeople, Indonesia. Using an Ethnochoreology approach, this study examines how these values reflect the outlook on life contained in the local community's culture. The method used is descriptive qualitative, with data collection techniques through literature studies, field observations, and in-depth interviews. The analysis was carried out using a phenomenological approach to explore the deep meaning behind the dance movements and the accompanying cultural symbols. The results show that the Patennung Dance, which functions as a welcoming dance for guests, contains values of elegance and civility, and uses symbolic properties, namely Lipa Sabbe', a woven sarong typical of the Bugis people. The movements of Mapettu Wennang, Massau, Matennung, and Maleppe Lipacontain strong philosophical meanings. In addition to its performance function, this dance also plays a role in education as a basic life value for students. These findings indicate that the Patennung Dance has great potential as an instructional medium in learning local culture in formal education, and can strengthen students' understanding of philosophical cultural values.