The Arus Kualan Traditional School: Preservation Of Dayak Simpank Environmental And Cultural Heritage

Abstract

The Arus Kualan traditional school was founded based on concern for cultural change, environmental damage, as a result of changes in land use to oil palm plantations. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the existence of the Arus Kualan traditional school in maintaining the environmental and cultural heritage by education. This research used a qualitative descriptive method. Researchers were as a key instrument for interviewing founders, managers, students, the Tahak villager, and direct observation to the location. The results of the interview and observation were triangulated to obtain data validity. The data were analyzed by using qualitative descriptive study which is called inductive. The result showed that Arus Kualan traditional school presents as means building the equality of general and indigenous knowledge by educating the children with literacy, technology, and the development of general knowledge but still along with reintroducing indigenous knowledge, customary values, and local wisdom. This Arus Kualan traditional school also emphasized nature protection because the approach and effort to preserve and protect the environment is implemented well. The lessons are manifested in traditional story class, weaving class, traditional medicine class, traditional value class, literacy class, and traditional dance and music class.