The Importance of Introducing Oral Tradition to Sentani Children, Jayapura
Wigati Yektiningtyas (a*), Mesabia Pramudhita Modouw (b)

a) Universitas Cenderawasih
Jl. Kamp Wolker, Jl. Kambolker Perumnas III, Yabansai, Heram, Jayapura, Papua 9922, Indonesia
*wigati_y[at]yahoo.com
b) Universitas Gadjah Mada
Jl. Grafika No.2, Senolowo, Sinduadi, Mlati, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta 55284, Indonesia

Abstract

Sentani tribe in Jayapura, Papua has various oral tradition, i.e. folktales, oral poems, traditional proverbs, folksongs, dances, painting, traditional architecture etc. Unfortunately, Sentani children as the future generation who will continue the existence of the socio-cultural life of Sentani people do not recognize their ancestor^s cultural heritages. This paper aims at discussing the importance of introducing oral tradition that focuses on folktales and folksongs to Sentani children. Data of folktales and folklsongs were collected from some informants, i.e. tribal chiefs and Sentani elders in Waena, Ayapo, and Hobong. The term ^children^ belongs to those children who are in 4- 8 years old or those who are in Early Childhood Education and grades 1-3 of Primary Schools. By adopting socio-cultural approach it is found that there are some reasons of the importance of introducing folktales and folksongs to Sentani children. Firstly, folktales and folksongs can be used as media of learning Sentani traditional knowledge, language, and morals. Secondly, the learning is a breakthrough of disseminating the Sentani cultural heritages and various socio-cultural values embedded. Thirdly, the learning is a strategy of Sentani cultural heritages preservation.

Keywords: Sentani children, oral tradition, folktales, folksongs, preservation

Topic: Education