A Framework for an Intelligent Social Media Platform for Preserving Local Culture

Background

Indonesia is home to over 1,300 ethnic groups and a vast array of cultural expressions. From oral traditions, rituals, and festivals to traditional crafts, cuisine, and musical instruments. Despite this rich diversity, technological advancements and globalisation have contributed to the gradual degradation of cultural heritage, especially among Generation Z. This trend is evident in many regions, including Sumba Island, East Nusa Tenggara, which is known for its Marapu belief, Pasola tradition, and intricate woven fabrics.

Numerous efforts have been made to safeguard culture in Indonesia through festivals, policy mandates, education, and tourism. However, these initiatives often fall short in engaging younger generations or leveraging technology effectively. In Sumba Island, there is currently no dedicated digital platform for preserving and sharing cultural knowledge.

Project Aim

This project seeks to address these challenges by developing a framework for an intelligent social media platform designed to preserve and promote local culture, starting with Sumba Island. The platform will serve as a digital portal and archive, empowering communities, traditional elders, and government bodies to protect cultural heritage and facilitate intergenerational knowledge transfer.

Research Objectives

  • Design a culturally aware framework for an intelligent social media platform
  • Identify key features required for platform effectiveness
  • Validate the framework in real-world settings
  • Inform culturally sensitive software engineering practices

Methodology

The research follows a mixed-methods approach:

  • Literature Review: Examining existing research on cultural preservation in Indonesia, with a focus on Sumba Island.
  • Data Collection: Surveys and interviews with Gen Z, traditional elders, cultural observers, and government representatives.
  • Framework Development: Using insights to design a culturally informed platform prototype.
  • Validation & Evaluation: Testing the framework and deriving principles for culturally aware software engineering.

Project Lead

Paskalis Andrianus Nani (PhD Candidate)

Project Team

Prof John Grundy

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