How the Sesaji Rewanda tradition promotes sustainable development through ethnoscientific knowledge?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61511/jreh.v2i1.2025.2643Keywords:
ethnoscience, local wisdom, Sesaji Rewanda, sustainable developmentAbstract
Background: Global sustainability challenges demand not only technological and policy solutions but also cultural approaches rooted in local wisdom. The Sesaji Rewanda tradition at Goa Kreo, Semarang, embodies local ecological wisdom that reflects harmony between humans and nature, however its sustainability values have not been scientifically examined. Therefore, this study seeks to reveal the ethnoscience dimensions and sustainability principles embedded in Sesaji Rewanda as a culturally grounded contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Methods: This study applies a qualitative descriptive approach through in-depth interviews, limited field observations, and literature analysis. Data were analyzed using data reduction, presentation, and conclusion drawing. Findings: The findings indicate that the Sesaji Rewanda tradition supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals. Environmentally, it aligns with SDG 11 by preserving cultural and natural heritage, SDG 12 through the use of natural materials and sustainable food practices, and SDG 15 by promoting biodiversity conservation and ecosystem balance. Socially, it reflects SDG 2 and SDG 3 by strengthening community food security, nutrition, and well-being, while economically, it contributes to SDG 8 by stimulating local economic growth through cultural tourism and the use of local agricultural resources. Conclusion: Sesaji Rewanda represents an integrated model of local wisdom that strengthens the relationship between humans and nature while promoting sustainable development. It emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural traditions as living knowledge systems that can inspire future sustainability practices. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study uniquely explores the ethnoscientific dimensions of the Sesaji Rewanda tradition and links them explicitly to the Sustainable Development Goals, offering a new perspective on how local wisdom can serve as a model for culturally rooted sustainability practices.
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