Social Science and Human Research Bulletin

Moderate Islam (wasatiyyah) has become a crucial paradigm in addressing religious radicalism and promoting social harmony in plural societies, particularly in Indonesia. This study explores how the indigenous Kajang community in South Sulawesi transmits moderate Islamic values through a localized ethnopedagogical system embedded in everyday cultural practices. Employing a qualitative critical ethnographic approach, the research draws on in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis involving traditional leaders, families, and youth, with data analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model. The findings indicate that educational practices in the Kajang community are deeply rooted in cultural rituals, oral traditions, and daily social interactions. Core Islamic values, such as tauhid (monotheism), honesty (lempu), simplicity (kamase-masea), and ecological responsibility, are conveyed through role modeling by elders, communal participation in adat (customary) practices, and continuous reinforcement within the family. These mechanisms foster lived expressions of religious moderation aligned with the principles of tawassuth (moderation), tawazun (balance), and ta‘adul (justice). The study concludes that the Kajang ethnopedagogical model offers a culturally grounded framework for nurturing moderate Muslim identities and provides valuable insights for Islamic education reform in pluralistic contexts.

Ethnopedagogy; Religious moderation; Indigenous knowledge; Islamic education; Kajang community.

1. Alqhaiwi, Z. O., Bednall, T. C., & Kyndt, E. (2023). Excellence in Leadership in the Arab World: Islamic Principles and Tribal Values. Evidence From Jordan. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 23(3), 613–634. https://doi.org/10.1177/14705958231212742
2. Bahansubu, A., Muhammadong, M., Jalil, M. A., & Mokodenseho, S. (2023). Analysis of the Importance of Islamic Religious Education and Life Skills in Forming a Noble Young Generation in Indonesia. Jurnal Pendidikan West Science, 1(12), 809–816. https://doi.org/10.58812/jpdws.v1i12.864
3. Cahyo, P., & Tri, I. D. (2021). Preventing Religious Conflict in Papua Land: Adopting Cultural Traditions of Peacebuilding. Asian Journal of Peacebuilding, 9(2), 331–356. https://doi.org/10.18588/202108.00a119
4. Dasopang, M. D., Nasution, I. F. A., & Lubis, A. H. (2023). The Role of Religious and Cultural Education as a Resolution of Radicalism Conflict in Sibolga Community. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 79(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v79i1.8469
5. Gamon, A. D., & Tagoranao, M. S. (2022). Transformation of Muslim Education in the Philippines: A Revisit. Al Hikmah International Journal of Islamic Studies and Human Sciences, 5(4), 108–142. https://doi.org/10.46722/hikmah.v5i4.293
6. Hasbiyallah, H., DURAN, B., & Suhendi, S. (2024). Indonesian Fiqh in Higher Education: A Pathway to Moderate and Inclusive Islamic Values. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 10(1), 149–162. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v10i1.26151
7. Haulid, H., & Syukri, S. (2023). Religious Moderation Values in the Subject of Islamic Religious Education and Budi Pekerti Class IX Junior High School. El-Hikmah Jurnal Kajian Dan Penelitian Pendidikan Islam, 17(1), 25–34. https://doi.org/10.20414/elhikmah.v17i1.8417
8. Hurnawijaya, Apipuddin, A., & Handriawan, D. (2024). Spirit of Wasatiyyah: Sufism and Local Wisdom in Indonesia. Tahiro, 1(1), 65–82. https://doi.org/10.20414/tahiro.v1i1.10851
9. Isdiana, I., Zaid, M. A., & Akhtar, S. (2024). Satu Suro Ceremony Tradition: Tahlilan in the Perspective of Islamic Religious Education. J. Pend. A. Isl. Ind, 5(1), 13–21. https://doi.org/10.37251/jpaii.v5i1.906
10. Islam, M., & Yussof, M. H. B. (2024). Development of Multicultural Education Through Sufism’s Value of Satlogi Santri in Pesantren. Al-Hayat Journal of Islamic Education, 8(2), 633. https://doi.org/10.35723/ajie.v8i2.529
11. Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2018). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
12. Musyahid, M. (2023). Religious Moderation Implementation in Islamic Education: A Systematic Review. Jurnal Mudarrisuna Media Kajian Pendidikan Agama Islam, 13(4), 540. https://doi.org/10.22373/jm.v13i4.20541
13. Nursima, I., Lah, Y. C., & Duong, N. A. T. (2022). Ethnopedagogy in Primary Schools: Ethnographic Study in Thematic Learning at Ma’arif Setono Jenangan Ponorogo. Journal of Basic Education Research, 3(3), 106–116. https://doi.org/10.37251/jber.v3i3.896
14. Oclarit, F. P., Betarmos, V. S., & Casinillo, L. F. (2023). Unheard Sentiments of Mamanwa (Indigenous) Learners in the Mainstream Education: A Basis  for Educational Policy. International Journal of Indonesian Education and Teaching, 7(2), 136–157. https://doi.org/10.24071/ijiet.v7i2.6234
15. OK, A. H., Al-Farabi, M., & Firmansyah, F. (2023). Internalization of Multicultural Islamic Education Values in High School Students. Munaddhomah Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 3(3), 221–228. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v3i3.265
16. Tahara, T. (2023). Cultural Resilience and Syncretism: The Towani Tolotang Community’s Journey in Indonesia’s Religious Landscape. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies, 10(4), 233–246. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/1863
17. Tahir, G., Ilham, Muh., Asrifan, A., & Barsihannor, B. (2025). Eco-Sufism in Ammatoa Community: Harmonizing Islamic Values and Local Traditions for Environmental Conservation in Kajang Bulukumba. Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, 15(1), 124–145. https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.151.08
18. Ulumuddin, U., Aisyah, S., Hakim, L., Khoir, A., & Suhermanto, S. (2023). Advancing Islamic Education: Fostering Multicultural Values Through the Implementation of Islamic Religious Education. Jurnal Islam Nusantara, 7(1), 82. https://doi.org/10.33852/jurnalnu.v7i1.471
19. Wantik, L., Laksmono, B. S., Lefaan, A., & Lumintang, O. M. (2024). Education System for Indigenous Communities: A Review of Social Ecology. Indonesian Journal of Advanced Research, 3(10), 1593–1604. https://doi.org/10.55927/ijar.v3i10.11944
20. Wilson, I. R. (2024). Language Policy and Its Influence on Language Maintenance Among Indigenous Communities in New Zealand. International Journal of Linguistics, 5(2), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.47604/ijl.2632