The study comes at a time when many indigenous traditions face decline due to rapid modernization, digital media exposure, and changing family dynamics. As communities become increasingly connected to global culture, local storytelling traditions such as bekana risk being marginalized. The researchers argue that this shift threatens not only cultural heritage but also the traditional mechanisms communities use to teach children values such as honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Among the Dayak Kebahan people, bekana is traditionally practiced by parents or elders who tell stories to children before bedtime. These narratives often feature heroic ancestors, hardworking community members, moral dilemmas, and spiritual lessons. Some stories are rooted in indigenous Dayak traditions, while others incorporate Biblical teachings, reflecting the Christian identity of many Dayak Kebahan families. Through this blend of local and religious narratives, bekana serves as both a cultural practice and an informal educational system.
To examine the educational role of bekana, the research team conducted an ethnographic study in several Dayak Kebahan villages in Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan. The study involved 15 participants, including storytellers, parents, elders, teenagers, and children. Data were collected through interviews, direct observation, and narrative analysis of the stories shared within families. The researchers then used thematic analysis to identify the recurring life values conveyed through the storytelling process.
The study identified nine core values consistently transmitted through bekana:
- Honesty
- Responsibility
- Solidarity
- Respect
- Wisdom
- Heroism
- Patience
- Spirituality
- Environmental awareness
These values are not presented as abstract moral lessons but are embedded in stories that children can relate to emotionally. For example, stories about the consequences of lying help children understand the importance of honesty, while tales of hardworking ancestors encourage responsibility and perseverance. According to the researchers, this narrative approach makes ethical values easier for children to understand and internalize because the lessons are connected to memorable characters and real-life situations.
The findings also show that bekana strengthens social cohesion within the community. Stories emphasizing cooperation, sharing, and empathy encourage children to value solidarity and mutual support. In farming communities where collective effort is essential, these values become practical lessons that shape daily behavior. The researchers found that children exposed to bekana were more likely to demonstrate generosity, respect for elders, and a willingness to help others.
Beyond social values, bekana also nurtures a sense of identity. Through stories about ancestors and community traditions, children learn where they come from and what values define their cultural group. This is especially important in preserving indigenous identity at a time when globalization can weaken cultural attachment among younger generations. The study describes bekana as a form of “informal curriculum” that teaches children how to see themselves as part of a larger cultural heritage.
Another significant finding is the role of bekana in promoting spiritual and ecological awareness. Many stories emphasize harmony with nature and respect for divine values. Children learn the importance of caring for the environment through narratives that warn against harming forests or exploiting natural resources. At the same time, spiritual lessons encourage gratitude, prayer, and moral reflection. This holistic approach allows bekana to shape ethical behavior in relation to both society and the natural world.
The authors emphasize that bekana is more than entertainment. As Yuliono Evendi and Agustina Ace Wagena explain, the storytelling tradition functions as “an informal curriculum, reinforcing community worldviews while enabling adaptation to contemporary social change.” Through repeated storytelling, values are transmitted naturally within the family, making bekana a sustainable and culturally relevant educational tool.
This insight has important implications for modern education. In many school systems, character education is often delivered through formal lessons that may feel disconnected from students’ lived experiences. The bekana tradition demonstrates that cultural storytelling can be a more engaging and meaningful way to teach values. By incorporating local narratives into educational practice, schools may be able to strengthen moral education while also preserving cultural diversity.
The researchers suggest that indigenous storytelling traditions such as bekana could inspire culturally responsive educational models in Indonesia and beyond. Rather than treating local wisdom as separate from formal learning, policymakers and educators can view these traditions as valuable resources for teaching ethics, community responsibility, and environmental care. This approach could bridge the gap between cultural preservation and modern pedagogy.
The broader significance of this research lies in its reminder that education does not happen only in classrooms. Families and communities remain central to the transmission of values, and traditional storytelling continues to offer powerful lessons for personal and social development. In an era of rapid change, bekana provides an example of how indigenous knowledge systems can remain relevant, practical, and deeply impactful.
Author Profile
Yuliono Evendi and Agustina Ace Wagena are researchers from Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Khatulistiwa Sintang, Indonesia. Their academic work focuses on cultural education, indigenous traditions, and character formation within local communities, particularly among Dayak populations in West Kalimantan.
Source
Evendi, Y., & Wagena, A. A. (2026). Cultural Transmission of Life Values through Bekana: An Educational Perspective on the Dayak Kebahan in Sintang. International Journal of Sustainable Applied Sciences, 4(4), 251–260.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijsas.v4i4.389
URL: https://dmimultitechpublisher.my.id/index.php/ijsas
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