Sandung as a living classroom: Didactic materiality and pedagogical strategies for the cultural resilience of Hindu Kaharingan

Abstrak

Urbanization and modernization have challenged the continuity of indigenous knowledge systems, particularly the transmission of cultural values across generations. This study examines Sandung, a traditional burial structure of the Hindu Kaharingan community in Palangka Raya City, as a pedagogical space that extends beyond its memorial function. Using a qualitative approach through visual ethnography and material culture analysis, this study draws on field observations, visual documentation, and in-depth interviews with a cultural practitioner. The findings indicate that architectural elements, symbolic ornaments, and ritual practices embedded in Sandung serve as cultural learning media that transmit cosmological values, collective identity, and social responsibilities. The study also reveals that community involvement through families, religious institutions, and non-formal education supports intergenerational knowledge transfer. Furthermore, material adaptations demonstrate how cultural practices negotiate contemporary changes while maintaining traditional meanings. This study contributes to heritage studies by highlighting Sandung as a form of community-based pedagogy and didactic materiality.