Local Wisdom Strategy as a Globalization Filter: The Role of the Kilmury Language in Kilmury Village, East Seram Regency

Abstract

This study examines strategies for preserving the Kilmury language as a form of local wisdom in filtering the influence of globalization in Kilmury Village, East Seram Regency. A qualitative approach with a case study method was employed to explore the role of the local language in maintaining cultural identity through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis. The findings reveal that the family environment serves as the primary stronghold for language transmission, where daily communication, advice, folktales, and prayers are conveyed in the Kilmury language. The role of traditional leaders extends the use of the language into public domains through customary events, religious activities, and village deliberations. Ritual activities and oral traditions, such as storytelling and traditional ceremonies, function to enrich vocabulary, preserve symbolic values, and foster a sense of identity pride. Digital media is utilized to expand the language’s domain through creative content, online classes, and digital documentation. Community initiatives such as language classes, cultural festivals, and the “One Kilmury Word a Day” program encourage intergenerational participation. The main challenges include the dominance of Indonesian and global languages, low interest among the younger generation, and limited educational and technological resources. Recommendations include creating a “Kilmury Language House” in families, adding culture-based materials in schools, holding annual festivals, forming preservation forums, promoting digital literacy, and setting up a regional documentation unit. Preserving the Kilmury language requires joint efforts from families, leaders, communities, and technology to sustain it as a cultural identity in the global era.