As societies face climate change, environmental degradation, and growing moral challenges, the study highlights how traditional storytelling continues to offer practical guidance for sustainable living. Rather than serving merely as entertainment, Rote folklore preserves local wisdom that can help shape ethical behavior, strengthen cultural identity, and promote environmental stewardship.
The stories of Teluk Aman Lailonda and Hak Aman Nepe Dae were originally documented by F. H. van de Watering in De Timor-Bode in 1921 and later translated by Ebenhaizer I. Nuban Timo in the book Rote Punya Cerita. The narratives tell the story of Hak Aman Nepe Dae, a prosperous farmer whose wealth comes from abundant livestock, agriculture, and lontar palm production. His prosperity, however, disappears after a devastating three-year drought caused by Teluk Aman Lailonda sealing all water sources in the sky.
Through this dramatic narrative, the Rote people express an important worldview: human prosperity depends not only on personal effort but also on harmony with nature and a transcendent power beyond human control.
To explore these meanings, Tanau employed a qualitative descriptive-interpretive approach. The research analyzed the folklore using the folklore theories of Alan Dundes and James Danandjaja, Mircea Eliade's concept of the sacred and the profane, and the perspective of local wisdom. These theoretical perspectives were used to interpret the stories' religious, moral, social, and ecological dimensions.
The study identifies several key findings that remain relevant in contemporary society.
Major findings include:
- Religious awareness: The stories remind people that human beings have limitations and ultimately depend on transcendent forces for life and prosperity.
- Humility: Success should never become a source of arrogance, as every achievement is influenced by factors beyond individual control.
- Work ethic and integrity: Hard work is portrayed as essential, but genuine success also requires honesty, accountability, and the courage to admit mistakes.
- Ecological awareness: The prolonged drought demonstrates that environmental degradation directly threatens human survival and economic well-being.
- Character education: Folklore serves as an effective medium for transmitting ethical values across generations.
One of the study's strongest messages concerns humanity's relationship with nature. In the stories, the absence of rain causes rivers to dry up, crops to fail, livestock to perish, and lontar palms to stop producing sap. These events symbolize the deep dependence of human life on healthy ecosystems.
According to the research, the people of Rote had already developed ecological awareness long before environmental conservation became a global concern. Their oral traditions encourage respect for nature rather than its exploitation, presenting environmental balance as an essential condition for community survival.
Tanau argues that Rote folklore should not be viewed simply as ancient stories preserved for cultural purposes. Instead, these narratives function as living educational tools that encourage humility, perseverance, integrity, gratitude, and respect for the natural world.
The findings also have significant implications for education. Local folktales can be integrated into school curricula as culturally relevant teaching materials that strengthen students' moral character while deepening their appreciation of Indonesia's rich cultural heritage. Storytelling offers an engaging way to introduce values such as responsibility, honesty, social awareness, and environmental care.
Beyond education, the research encourages governments, educational institutions, cultural organizations, and local communities to collaborate in documenting, preserving, and promoting traditional folklore. Digital preservation, educational publications, and community-based cultural programs are considered essential for ensuring that these valuable narratives remain accessible to future generations.
The study further suggests that folklore can contribute to addressing contemporary global challenges, including environmental degradation, individualism, and declining ethical values. Traditional stories provide practical moral guidance while reinforcing cultural resilience in an increasingly globalized world.
Equally important, Rote folklore strengthens Indonesia's cultural identity. By passing these stories from one generation to the next, communities preserve not only their historical memory but also the wisdom, values, and identity that define them. Such cultural continuity enriches Indonesia's diverse national heritage while fostering stronger social cohesion.
Author Profile
Niftrik Enklaar Tanau is a researcher from Artha Wacana Christian University. His academic interests include folklore studies, oral literature, local wisdom, character education, religious studies, and the relationship between culture and environmental sustainability.
Research Source
Tanau, Niftrik Enklaar. (2026). Religious Awareness and Ecological Meaning in Rote Folklore: The Story of Aman Lailonda Bay. Asian Journal of Applied Education (AJAE), Volume 5, Issue 3, pp. 501–518.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ajae.v5i3.16844
Journal: https://journal.formosapublisher.org/index.php/ajae
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