Berkunun sebagai Tradisi Lisan Masyarakat Kerinci: Kajian Historis dan Nilai-Nilai Pendidikan

Abstract

This study examines the *Berkunun* oral tradition within the Kerinci community, focusing on two primary dimensions: the historical and the pedagogical. Oral traditions serve as cultural heritage—acting as vehicles for the storage, preservation, and intergenerational transmission of knowledge—yet their existence is threatened by modernization and social change. This research aims to trace the historical trajectory of *Berkunun* and identify the educational values ​​embedded within it, positioning it as a source of education rooted in local wisdom. A qualitative method employing a historical-ethnographic approach was utilized. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with key informants, participant observation, and documentation. Data analysis followed the Miles and Huberman interactive model, comprising data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings reveal that *Berkunun* possesses three functional dimensions: a social dimension (facilitating communication and communal cohesion), a cultural dimension (serving as a medium for transmitting identity and local knowledge), and an educational dimension (conveying moral messages and shaping behavior). Historically, *Berkunun* functions as a repository of collective memory, preserving the historical traces and social experiences of the Kerinci people. From a pedagogical perspective, the tradition embodies character education values ​​such as honesty, responsibility, politeness, respect for elders, social concern, solidarity, cooperation, togetherness, religiosity, and cultural appreciation. These values ​​are transmitted contextually through stories, expressions, metaphors, and exemplary conduct. The study concludes that *Berkunun* is an oral tradition characterized by dialectically interconnected historical and pedagogical dimensions. It holds strategic potential for development as a source of local wisdom-based education that can be integrated into family, community, and formal educational settings. The preservation of *Berkunun* is not only crucial for safeguarding cultural heritage but also contributes significantly to character education and the strengthening of cultural identity amidst the challenges of contemporary social change.