From Character Education to Islamic Educational Philosophy: Reinterpreting the Values of Wayang Kulit as a Local Wisdom-Based Educational Medium

Authors

  • Nurul Mubin Universitas Sains Al-Qur’an Author
  • Lulu Tri Rahayu Universitas Sains Al-Qur’an Author
  • Nasifa Fatimatus Sakina Universitas Sains Al-Qur’an Author

Keywords:

Philosophy of Islamic Education, Wayang Kulit, Local Wisdom, Character Education, Javanese Culture

Abstract

Wayang kulit, as one of Indonesia’s cultural heritages, embodies educational values that are closely aligned with the philosophy of Islamic education, yet studies integrating these two perspectives remain limited. This study aims to analyze the philosophical values of Islamic education embedded in wayang kulit performances. A qualitative approach employing a library research design was adopted, and the data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The findings reveal that the values of tawhid, adab, leadership, responsibility, justice, and moral formation are represented through the gunungan, Semar, the Punakawan, the Pandawa, the lakon, and the role of the dalang as interconnected educational symbols. These values are internalized through culturally contextual representations, enabling wayang kulit to function as an educational medium grounded in local wisdom. This study contributes a conceptual synthesis linking the philosophy of Islamic education with local culture as a foundation for developing educational practices relevant to contemporary society.

Abstrak
Wayang kulit sebagai warisan budaya Indonesia menyimpan berbagai nilai pendidikan yang relevan dengan filsafat pendidikan Islam, namun kajian yang mengintegrasikan keduanya masih terbatas. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis nilai-nilai filsafat pendidikan Islam yang terkandung dalam pertunjukan wayang kulit. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan desain library research dan dianalisis melalui qualitative content analysis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa nilai tauhid, adab, kepemimpinan, tanggung jawab, keadilan, serta pembentukan akhlak direpresentasikan melalui gunungan, Semar, Punakawan, Pandawa, lakon, dan peran dalang sebagai simbol pendidikan yang saling terintegrasi. Nilai-nilai tersebut diinternalisasikan melalui representasi budaya yang kontekstual sehingga wayang kulit berfungsi sebagai media pendidikan berbasis kearifan lokal. Penelitian ini berkontribusi dengan menawarkan sintesis konseptual yang menghubungkan filsafat pendidikan Islam dan budaya lokal sebagai landasan pengembangan pendidikan yang relevan dengan konteks masyarakat kontemporer.

References

Al-Attas, Syed Muhammad Naquib. Islam and Secularism. Kuala Lumpur: Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM), 1978.

Al-Ghazali. Al-Munqidh Min Al-Ḍalāl. Cairo: Dār al-Maʿārif, 1967.

Al-Syaibany, Omar Mohammad Al-Toumy. Falsafah Pendidikan Islam. Bulan Bintang, 1979.

An-Nahlawi, Abdurrahman. Prinsip-Prinsip Dan Metode Pendidikan Islam. Bandung: CV Diponegoro, 1989.

Anderson, Benedict R O’G. Language and Power: Exploring Political Cultures in Indonesia. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1990.

Cohen, Matthew Isaac. “Wayang in Jaman Now : Reflexive Traditionalization and Local, National and Global Networks of Javanese Shadow Puppet Theatre.” Theatre Research International 44, no. 1 (March 1, 2019): 40–57. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0307883318000834.

Dewantara, Ki Hajar. Karya Ki Hajar Dewantara: Bagian Pertama—Pendidikan. Yogyakarta: Majelis Luhur Persatuan Tamansiswa, 1977.

Geertz, Clifford. The Religion of Java. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1960.

Iva, Ariani, Mardhiyah Shoim, and Syahilabi Rajasa Nabiel. “Traditional Puppetry as Political Philosophy: Evaluating Wayang Kulit Narratives in the Context of Global Leadership Deficits.” Fikri : Jurnal Kajian Agama, Sosial Dan Budaya 11, no. 1 (April 13, 2026): 108–21. https://doi.org/10.25217/jf.v11i1.7495.

Jia, Ke, Ruolin Kang, Yiran Wang, Lin Ma, and Xiuli Liu. “Constructing an Empathy Education System: Values, Principles, and Approaches.” Journal of Moral Education 55, no. 2 (April 3, 2026): 457–85. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2024.2416686.

Krippendorff, Klaus. Content Analysis: An Introduction to Its Methodology. Los Angeles: SAGE, 2019.

Langgulung, Hasan. Manusia Dan Pendidikan: Suatu Analisa Psikologi, Filsafat Dan Pendidikan. Jakarta: Pustaka Al Husna, 1986.

Lickona, Thomas. Educating for Character: How Our Schools Can Teach Respect and Responsibility. New York: Bantam Books, 1991.

Magnis-Suseno, Franz. Etika Jawa: Sebuah Analisa Falsafi Tentang Kebijaksanaan Hidup Jawa. Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 1984.

Mulyono, Sri. Wayang: Asal-Usul, Filsafat Dan Masa Depannya. 2nd ed. Jakarta: Gunung Agung, 1978.

Ricklefs, M C. Mystic Synthesis in Java: A History of Islamization from the Fourteenth to the Early Nineteenth Centuries. Norwalk, CT: EastBridge, 2006.

Sahin, Abdullah. “Critical Issues in Islamic Education Studies: Rethinking Islamic and Western Liberal Secular Values of Education.” Religions 9, no. 11 (October 30, 2018): 335. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel9110335.

Soetarno. Estetika Pedalangan. Surakarta: Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Surakarta bekerja sama dengan CV Adji, 2007.

Sunyoto, Agus. Atlas Wali Songo: Buku Pertama Yang Mengungkap Wali Songo Sebagai Fakta Sejarah. Depok: Pustaka IIMaN, 2016.

Tricahyo, Agus, and Yufridal Fitri Nursalam. “Metaphors and Idioms of Wayang Tradition.” Ascarya: Journal of Islamic Science, Culture, and Social Studies 5, no. 1 (January 28, 2025): 60–75. https://doi.org/10.53754/iscs.v5i1.731.

Umar, Mardan, Waway Qodratulloh S., Muhammad Anas Ma’arif, Feiby Ismail, and Rini Rahman. “Revitalization of Islamic Character Values in Local Folklore and Its Implication on Character Education.” Ulumuna 29, no. 1 (June 30, 2025): 188–220. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v29i1.1375.

Widayat, Afendy, and Ghis Nggar Dwiadmojo. “The Javanese Philosophy behind the Panakawan Characters: An Ethnolinguistic Analysis of the Play Semar Mbangun Kahyangan.” Indonesian Journal of Applied Linguistics 13, no. 2 (September 30, 2023): 343–57. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijal.v13i2.63094.

Widoyo, Agus Fatuh. “An Axiological Study of Wayang Da’wah in the History of the Spread of Islam in Indonesia.” TATHO: International Journal of Islamic Thought and Sciences 3, no. 2 (May 1, 2026): 282–90. https://doi.org/10.70512/tatho.v3i2.184.

Zed, Mestika. Metode Penelitian Kepustakaan. Yayasan Pustaka Obor Indonesia, 2008.

Downloads

Published

2026-07-30

How to Cite

Mubin, Nurul, Lulu Tri Rahayu, and Nasifa Fatimatus Sakina. 2026. “From Character Education to Islamic Educational Philosophy: Reinterpreting the Values of Wayang Kulit As a Local Wisdom-Based Educational Medium”. SYMPHONIA: Journal of Theory and Research Output 1 (3): 86-94. http://darulilmijournal.com/index.php/symphonia/article/view/236.