Enhancing Cultural Literacy Through Community Creativity : The Role of Menjing Village Residents in Preserving Papua Heritage

Abstract

Indonesia, as a unitary state with rich cultural diversity, requires continuous efforts to cultivate cultural literacy as a means of strengthening national identity. Cultural literacy involves the ability to understand, appreciate, and engage with cultural expressions, values, and traditions, especially in multicultural settings. This community service program aimed to develop cultural literacy among the residents of Menjing Village by applying the Participatory Action Research (PAR) method. Through participatory planning and action, the community collaboratively selected Papuan culture as the focus—recognizing the importance of introducing lesser-known regional cultures to a broader audience. The program facilitated the creation of traditional Papuan clothing, headpieces, replica houses, and weapons, involving women’s groups (PKK), youth (Karang Taruna), and local men. The process fostered intergenerational collaboration, strengthened community engagement, and deepened understanding of cultural meaning. Results indicate that PAR is an effective strategy for promoting cultural literacy through meaningful, community-based educational experiences that honor Indonesia’s diverse heritage.