Traditional Games as Cultural Heritage and Character Education Media in the Globalization Era

Abstract

Traditional games represent cultural heritage rich in noble values. Amid globalization and technological advancement, traditional games are increasingly marginalized, replaced by modern digital-based games. However, traditional games function not only as entertainment but also as effective learning media for character formation and positive values development among students. This research aims to examine the importance of traditional games preservation and explore their inherent meanings for student value formation, including cooperation, sportsmanship, discipline, responsibility, creativity, and appreciation of local culture. Furthermore, preservation and development of traditional games—as cultural objects—constitute a mandate from Law Number 5 of 2017 concerning Cultural Advancement that must be implemented by government alongside communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), artists, and cultural practitioners. The research method employed literature study analyzing various sources related to traditional games and their relevance to character education. Research findings demonstrate that traditional games can serve as holistic educational media, naturally integrating cognitive, affective, and psychomotor aspects of students. Therefore, traditional games preservation needs integration into school learning activities through local content or extracurricular activities, ensuring the noble values contained therein continue to be passed down to younger generations.