Exploring the Ethnoscience of the Rago Ball in the Traditional Game of Sepak Rago Tinggi as a Source for Contextual Chemistry Learning

Authors

  • Rosa Murwindra Universitas Islam Kuantan Singingi Author
  • Hasnah Faizah Universitas Riau Author
  • Mahdum Adanan Universitas Riau Author
  • Hermandra Universitas Riau Author
  • Elmustian Universitas Riau Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/p8jan914

Keywords:

Contextual Chemistry Learning, Ethnoscience, Indigenous Science, Natural Polymers, Sepak Rago Tinggi

Abstract

This study aims to explore the ethnoscience of the rago ball in the traditional game Sepak Rago Tinggi in Kopah Sub-district, Kuantan Singingi Regency, as a source of contextual chemistry learning.  This study employs a qualitative approach with an ethnographic design to uncover the community’s indigenous science regarding the selection of materials, processing techniques, and physicochemical characteristics of the rago ball. Data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The results indicate that the potential of rago balls as an innovative learning resource can transform abstract chemical concepts into tangible phenomena. Integrating ethnoscience into learning can enhance science literacy, foster students’ epistemic engagement, and strengthen the repository of local wisdom within a meaningful, culture-based modern chemistry curriculum

References

Aikenhead, G. S. (2006). Science education for everyday life: Evidence-based practice. Teachers College Press.

Aldiansyah, Jessica Indriyani Pasa, Muhammad Rijal Muttaqin, Nabila Nailah Awaliyah, & Farah Erika. (2023). Literature Review: The Relationship Between Chemistry Learning and the Ethnochemistry Approach in Indonesia. Literature Review: The Relationship Between Chemistry Learning and the Ethnochemistry Approach in Indonesia, 7(2), 238–246.

Anggraeni, A. Y., Wardani, S., & Hidayah, A. N. (2020). Profile of improvements in students’ chemistry literacy skills through contextual guided inquiry-based learning. Journal of Chemistry Education Innovation, 14(1), 2512–2523.

Anriana, R., Witri, G., Putra, Z. H., Fendrik, M., Dahnilsyah, & Aljarrah, A. (2023). An ethnomathematics study on measurement practices in the Bengkalis Malay community as a resource for elementary school mathematics. Ethnography and Education, 18(3), 299–322.

Anwar, S. (2025). Innovations in Integrated Science Education Based on Ethnoscience. Indonesia Emas Group.

Arma, O. P. (2024). The Role of Local Wisdom in the Science Learning Process. Proceedings of the National Seminar on Biology Education, 10(1), 11–31.

Azzahra, U., Hamdu, G., & Putri, A. R. (2025). A Study of the Ethnoscience of Kampung Naga Culture as a Source of Science Learning in Elementary Schools. Pendas: Scientific Journal of Basic Education, 10(03).

Budiarti, I. S., Frank, S. A. K., & Lumbu, A. (2025). Asmat Ethnoscience. CV Pajang Putra Wijaya.

Banks, J. A. (2008). Diversity, group identity, and citizenship education in a global age. Educational Researcher, 37(3), 129–139.

Bennett, W. L. (2003). The burglar alarm that just keeps ringing: A response to Zaller. Political Communication, 20(2), 131–138.

Cajete, G. (2000). Little Bear, L. Native Science: Natural Laws of Interdependence. Clear Light Books: Santa Fe, NM, USA.

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2016). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage Publications.

Daulay, R. A., Syafitri, A., Aulianti, D., Azhari, S. W., & Simaremare, H. G. M. (2025). Integration of Ethnochemical Concepts in Redox Reaction Learning. Lavoisier: Chemistry Education Journal, 4(2), 77–83.

Defista, C., & Aznam, N. (2024). Chemistry-focused conceptual understanding research trends: A systematic review. Journal of Science Education Research, 10(4), 180–187.

Dewi, C. C. A., Erna, M., Haris, I., & Kundera, I. N. (2021). The effect of contextual collaborative learning based on ethnoscience on increasing students’ scientific literacy ability. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 18(3), 525–541.

Djarwo, C. F., Inggamer, M. M., Rumbrapuk, A. J., & Astuti, N. (2025). Analysis of ethoscience-based digital literacy in chemistry instruction to enhance students’ conceptual understanding and learning motivation. Indonesian Journal of Science Education and Learning, 15(1), 62–77.

Gazali, Z., & Andriani, R. (2025). Integration of Ethnochemistry in Science Teaching: A Systematic Literature Review on Local Wisdom-Based Approaches in High School. Journal of Science Education, 15(4), 1843–1853.

Gilbert, M. (2006). A theory of political obligation: Membership, commitment, and the bonds of society. OUP Oxford.

Hakim, E., Astafani, A., & Resmawati, R. F. (2024). Systematic Review of Factors Contributing to Learning Difficulties in Chemistry. Journal of , 18(2), 81–88.

Haryanto, J. T. (2014). Local Wisdom Supporting Religious Harmony in the Tengger Community of Malang, East Java. Analisa Journal of Social Science and Religion, 21(2), 201–213.

Hasanah, Z., Hariyadi, B., & Sukmono, T. (2025). A Study of Ethnoscience in the Bekarang Tradition to Support Biology Learning. Journal of Educational Theory and Practice Studies, 6(2).

Hidayati, H., Damris, M., Asrial, A., & Hasibuan, M. H. E. (2025). A Thematic Review: Ethnochemistry in Secondary Schools. Proceedings of the International Conference on Social Science, Humanities, Education, and Society Development (ICONS), 2, 67–84.

Imansari, M., Sudarmin, S., & Sumarni, W. (2018). Analysis of students’ chemical literacy through guided inquiry learning with an ethno-science component. Journal of Chemistry Education Innovation, 12(2).

Inayah, S., Dasna, I. W., & Habiddin, H. (2022). Implementation of green chemistry in chemistry education: A literature review. Hydrogen: Journal of Chemistry Education, 10(1), 42–49.

Ismail, I. A., Mawardi, M., Kurniawati, D., & Arif, K. (2024). From ancestral heritage to modern laboratories: Ethnoscience enriches science education. LPPM AAI.

Junaidi, E., Sudatha, I. G. W., Suartama, I. K., & Santosa, M. H. (2025). Ethnochemistry in Chemistry Learning: Insights from Indonesian Local Wisdom. Journal of Science Education, 26(3), 1642–1658.

Jusniar, Effendy, Budiasih, E., & Sutrisno. (2020). Misconceptions in Rate of Reaction and their Impact on Misconceptions in Chemical Equilibrium. Eur. J. Educ. Res., 9(2): 1405–1423.

Khoriyah, F. A., Fawaida, U., Bella, S., Fauziah, I., & Rahmawati, A. I. (2025). Ethnoscience exploration of the meron tradition in Sukolilo subdistrict, Pati regency. Jurnal Tarbiyatuna: Journal of Islamic Education Studies, Thought, and Development, 6(1), 39–57.

Lestari, W. Y. (2025). Understanding scientific concepts through an ethoscience approach: a qualitative study on science education in remote areas. Journal of Social Sciences and Education, 5(6), 1418–1424.

Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1988). Criteria for Assessing Naturalistic Inquiries as Reports.

Lumadya, S.A., Wiyarsi, A. (2024). Identification of acid-base misconceptions using a three-tier multiple-choice test with the certainty response index. Journal of Chemistry Learning Research, 9(2), 93–99.

Miles, M. B., A. M. Huberman, and J. Saldaña. 2018. Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook. California: Sage Publications.

Minata, Z. S., Rahayu, S., & Dasna, I. W. (2022). Context-based chemistry learning: A systematic literature review. Journal of Science Education, 23(4), 1446–1463.

Mukti, H., Suastra, I. W., & Aryana, I. B. P. (2022). Integration of Ethnoscience in Science Education. JPGI (Indonesian Journal of Teacher Research), 7(4), 356–362.

Nababan, D., & Sipayung, C. A. (2023). Understanding the contextual learning model within the Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) model. Journal of Social and Humanities Education, 2(2), 825–837.

National Research Council. (2012). A framework for K-12 science education: Practices, crosscutting concepts, and core ideas. In A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/13165.

Nazara, R. G., Fatimah, W. S., Wardani, E. K., Pramesti, S. D., Hidayati, W., & Daeli, M. (2025). The role of ethnoscience in strengthening STEM learning to develop science literacy based on local culture in elementary schools. Walada: Journal of Primary Education, 4(3), 127–135.

Novitasari, M. A., & Raida, S. A. (2025). Integration of the Local Wisdom of Kayangan Api in Bojonegoro into Contextual Science Learning at the Junior High School/MTs Level. PSEJ (Pancasakti Science Education Journal), 10(2), 117–127

Ogawa, M. (1995). Science education in a multiscience perspective. Science Education, 79(5), 583–593.

Osborne, J., Simon, S., & Collins, S. (2003). Attitudes toward science: A review of the literature and its implications. International Journal of Science Education, 25(9), 1049–1079.

Putra, B. P., & Wahyuni, S. (2025). Integrating local wisdom into science education to enhance students’ science literacy: A literature review. Kalam Cendekia: Journal of Educational Sciences, 13(2).

Rahmawati, Y., & Ridwan, A. (2017). Empowering students’ chemistry learning: The integration of ethnochemistry in culturally responsive teaching. Chemistry: Bulgarian Journal of Science Education, 26(6), 813–830.

Rahmawati, Y., Ridwan, A., Rahman, A., & Kurniadewi, F. (2019, January). Chemistry students’ identity empowerment through ethnochemistry in culturally responsive transformative teaching (CRTT). In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1156, No. 1, p. 012032). IOP Publishing.

Ridha, M. R., Lestari, Y. P. I., Khatami, M. R., & Putri, A. A. (2025). Study: Content of Alpha-Cellulose, Lignocellulose, and Hemicellulose in Aquatic Plants and Their Applications in Pharmaceutical Science. Scientific Journal of Pharmacy, Jember Academy of Pharmacy, 8(1).

Roberts, D. A., & Bybee, R. W. (2014). Scientific literacy, science literacy, and science education. In Handbook of research on science education, Volume II (pp. 545–558). Routledge.

Selviana, R. M., Setyawan, D. N., Septiani, D., & Ernawati, T. (2026). Analysis of the Application of Ethnoscience-Based Science Learning on the Science Literacy of Junior High School/MTs Students. Journal of Science Education, 16(1), 74–81.

Septina, E. A. (2025). The Correlation Between Culture, Local Potential, and Local Wisdom in Ethnoscience-Based ScienceJOSERI, 1(1), 25–32.

Sodiqin, M. S. (2025). Identification of ethnoscience values in the pendap-making process as an integration of science learning media at SMP IT Iqra’ Kota Bengkulu. , UIN Fatmawati Sukarno Bengkulu.

Sutrisno, H., Wahyudiati, D., & Louise, I. S. Y. (2020). Ethnochemistry in the chemistry curriculum in higher education: exploring chemistry learning resources in Sasak local wisdom. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(12), 7833–7842.

Utami, S. H. A., Marwoto, P., & Sumarni, W. (2022). Analysis of science literacy skills among elementary school students from the perspectives of content, process, and scientific context. Indonesian Journal of Science Education, 10(2), 380–390.

Wae, V. P. S. M., & Kaleka, M. B. U. (2022). Implementation of ethoscience in science education to realize independent learning in Ende Regency. OPTIKA: Journal of Physics Education, 6(2), 206-216.

Zidny, R., Sjöström, J., & Eilks, I. (2020). A multi-perspective reflection on how indigenous knowledge and related ideas can improve science education for sustainability. Science & Education, 29(1), 145-185

Downloads

Published

2026-06-15

Issue

Section

Articles