The Langsa Allegorical Parade as a Learning Space: Representing Culture and Character Values to Foster Students’ Multicultural Awareness

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the Langsa Allegorical Parade as a contextual learning space, focusing on cultural representation, the enactment of character values, and students’ experiences in making sense of cultural diversity as part of multicultural awareness. The study employed a qualitative approach with a descriptive-interpretive design. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation involving purposively selected informants. The data were analyzed interactively through data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification, while data trustworthiness was established through source and technique triangulation. The findings indicate that the Langsa Allegorical Parade provides an authentic learning experience through cultural representations manifested in traditional clothing, performing arts, music, ornaments, symbols, and various other cultural expressions, enabling students to recognize and understand cultural diversity through direct experience. The event also demonstrates the enactment of character values, including mutual cooperation, collaboration, responsibility, creativity, discipline, tolerance, and appreciation of diversity, throughout the preparation and implementation processes. Students’ experiences reveal a progression from recognition and understanding to appreciation and reflection on cultural differences. These findings suggest that the Langsa Allegorical Parade has pedagogical potential as a contextual learning space that integrates local culture, character education, and multicultural experiences, without assuming that participation in the event automatically leads to the development of multicultural awareness.