Environmental Representation and Ecological Wisdom in a Sumbawa Folktale: An Ecocritical Study of “Lalu Dia Lala Jinis”

DOI

10.2991/978-2-38476-613-0_10How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Ecocriticism; Sumbawa Folktales; Local Wisdom

Abstract

Oral literature as an archive of local wisdom can contribute an ecological perspective amid growing efforts to address environmental crises. This study analyzes the Sumbawa folklore “Lalu Dia Lala Jinis” using an ecocritical approach to examine the representation and function of the environment within the tale. Grounded in Greg Garrard’s theoretical framework, this research investigates how natural elements like forests, rivers, and animals not only function as passive backgrounds but also play active roles influencing plot, character, and conflict resolution. Data analysis is conducted qualitatively through data reduction, presentation, and conclusion drawing. Findings indicate the folklore depicts human-environment relationships, where: (1) the Tiu Kalamung River functions beyond physical geography, holding a crucial role in social interactions and changes within the surrounding community; (2) Animal figures, particularly the rooster, symbolically carry the highest social values (dignity) and deepest spiritual beliefs (fate); (3) The landscape (forest and scrub) represents a testing ground reflecting the ethics and intentions of the protagonists. This study concludes the folklore conveys a view that humans and nature are not viewed as separate entities but as an interconnected and interdependent whole. The ecological wisdom embedded in this story, encompassing principles of harmonious living and mutual respect with nature, is crucial and valuable in contemporary environmental discourse and as material for environmental ethics education.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Download article (PDF)

TY  - CONF
AU  - Rusmin Nurjadin
AU  - Fidya Yolanda Polontalo
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/04
TI  - Environmental Representation and Ecological Wisdom in a Sumbawa Folktale: An Ecocritical Study of “Lalu Dia Lala Jinis”
BT  - Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Linguistics and Cultural Studies (ICLC-6 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 99
EP  - 108
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-613-0_10
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-613-0_10
ID  - Nurjadin2026
ER  -