A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW ON CULTURAL IDENTITY AND LOCAL WISDOM IN INDONESIAN LITERARY CRITICISM AND LANGUAGE STUDIES

Authors

  • Lasyuli Simbolon Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara
  • Saiful Anwar Matondang Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara
  • M. Manugeren Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31851/gesjg041

Keywords:

Cultural identity, local wisdom, Indonesian literary criticism, language and culture, indigenous literary theory

Abstract

This research presents a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on cultural identity and local wisdom within Indonesian literary criticism, examining 35 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2020. The analysis reveals that discussions on cultural identity dominate contemporary literary discourse, primarily addressing how Indonesian writers construct selfhood, ethnicity, and national belonging through language, narrative, and symbolism. Concurrently, local wisdom has emerged as a critical framework for interpreting literature as a repository of indigenous ethics, communal philosophy, and linguistic expression. However, few studies synthesize these two perspectives into an integrated analytical approach, leading to fragmented interpretations. The findings indicate that while regional literary studies especially from non-Javanese contexts are expanding, methodological and theoretical dependence on Western paradigms remains prevalent. To advance the discipline, the study emphasizes the necessity of developing culturally rooted literary theories and language-based analytical models that merge cultural identity with local wisdom. Such approaches would enable more inclusive, contextually meaningful interpretations and strengthen the position of Indonesian literary criticism in global scholarship.

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Published

2025-10-30