Exploring Religious Wisdom in Sasak Lelakaq: Oral Tradition as a Medium of Spiritual Expression

Abstract

The oral tradition of Lelakaq, a kind of Sasak pantun, functions as a cultural storehouse of moral and spiritual ideals intricately woven into the daily existence of the Sasak people of Lombok, Indonesia. Notwithstanding its importance, the religious aspects of Lelakaq remain inadequately examined in scholarly discussions. This study seeks to analyze the religious values expressed through Lelakaq by utilizing a pragmatic method that highlights the communicative purpose and interpretive effect on the audience. A qualitative descriptive methodology was employed to gather ten Lelakaq texts via online interviews with a cultural custodian from Sengkerang Village. The texts were translated and examined to reveal religious themes including dedication to prayer, moral advice, repentance, spiritual contemplation of death, and ethical behavior. The findings indicate that Lelakaq serves as both a medium for enjoyment and cultural preservation, as well as a conduit for conveying religious teachings and influencing communal values. The incorporation of religious themes inside poetic forms increases their accessibility and emotional impact, rendering Lelakaq an effective instrument for informal religious teaching. This study highlights the significance of indigenous oral literature in strengthening spiritual identity and provides insights into its possible use in character education and cultural pedagogy.