Strengthening Religious Character through Local Wisdom Nggahi Rawi Pahu in Schools

Abstract

This study analyzes the role of the local wisdom Nggahi Rawi Pahu in strengthening students’ religious character in schools in Dompu, Indonesia. In the context of globalization and increasing concerns about moral degradation among young people, the integration of local cultural values into educational practices has become an important strategy for character education. The main objective of this research is to examine how the values of Nggahi Rawi Pahu are interpreted, implemented, and internalized in school environments to support the development of students’ religious character. This study employs a qualitative case study design to explore the implementation of local wisdom in educational settings. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis involving teachers, students, school principals, and community leaders in Dompu. These data sources were used to understand both the conceptual meaning of Nggahi Rawi Pahu and its practical application in school activities, learning processes, and daily interactions within the school community. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns related to value transmission and character formation. The findings reveal that Nggahi Rawi Pahu, which emphasizes consistency between words and actions, honesty, responsibility, and moral integrity, provides a strong cultural foundation for strengthening students’ religious character. The values are reflected in school culture, teacher modeling, and community-supported activities. However, the implementation remains partial and has not yet been systematically integrated into the formal curriculum or structured character education programs. This study highlights the importance of developing culturally grounded educational models that integrate local wisdom into formal learning processes, thereby supporting more contextual and sustainable approaches to religious character education in Indonesian schools.