This research examines the role of agriculture in shaping human civilization, focusing on Indonesia as an agrarian nation. Centering on Angklung Paglak, a bamboo musical instrument from Banyuwangi, East Java, performed atop bamboo towers to celebrate the rice harvest, the study uncovers the complex indigenous knowledge linked to this practice. Angklung Paglak embodies traditional agricultural wisdom and significantly impacts local life. Despite being tacit and often overlooked in the modern era, this knowledge holds potential for addressing contemporary socio-environmental challenges. This study uses the Research about Design approach, integrating historical, perceptual, and theoretical analyses to explore normative design applications. Data collection employs the 'designing a living' strategy, focusing on ethnographic observations and interviews from 2021 to 2024, to examine the relationship between Angklung Paglak, local agriculture, and indigenous lifestyles. The analysis identifies relationships between mono-koto-imi (things-activity-value) aspects to elucidate Angklung Paglak's role in the community. The findings reveal that Angklung Paglak offers valuable techniques and wisdom of traditional agriculture in Kemiren Village. This research underscores the strong spiritual and philosophical aspects of this cultural artifact, highlighting its role in expressing local people’s happiness and gratitude for abundant crops. Angklung Paglak exemplifies community involvement and proactive environmental engagement, linking strategies, and social structures that adapt to environmental dynamics. The study concludes that future sustainability solutions may be rooted in Angklung Paglak practices and emphasizes the importance of preserving and integrating such indigenous knowledge into contemporary socio-environmental strategies.

Authors:
Zzyafra Iomaski Zihana, Chiba University, Japan
Akira Ueda, Chiba University, Japan
Hironobu Aoki, Chiba University, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Zzyafra Iomaski Zihana is a PhD student at Chiba University, Japan, studying cultural artifacts and indigenous knowledge. Her current project focuses on preserving a nearly extinct traditional agricultural musical instrument.

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