The History of the Nugal Tradition in Air Itam Village and Its Relationship to Education and Malay Community Culture

Abstract

This study aims to examine the historical development of the Nugal tradition in Air Itam Village and analyze its educational and cultural significance within the Malay community. The Nugal tradition is a longstanding agrarian cultural heritage that has been transmitted across generations and continues to be preserved despite the advancement of modern agricultural technology. It remains an important expression of local cultural identity while serving as a medium for transmitting social, cultural, and religious values. This study employed a qualitative descriptive approach. Data were collected through field observations and semi-structured interviews with community leaders and tradition practitioners who possess extensive knowledge of the implementation of the Nugal tradition in Air Itam Village. The findings reveal that the Nugal tradition has deep historical roots in the agricultural practices of the Malay community and embodies values of mutual cooperation, responsibility, respect for customary traditions, social solidarity, and cultural preservation. Furthermore, the tradition promotes educational values that contribute to character development among younger generations, including discipline, diligence, cooperation, and environmental stewardship. It also reflects Islamic values such as ukhuwah (brotherhood), ta'awun (mutual assistance), gratitude, and silaturahmi (social connectedness), which are deeply integrated into community life. Therefore, the Nugal tradition should be continuously preserved and utilized as a contextual learning resource to strengthen cultural identity and promote educational values within contemporary society