Using Ethnotaxonomy to assess Traditional Knowledge and Language vitality: A case study with the Urang Kanekes (Baduy) of Banten, Indonesia

Abstract

The Urang Kanekes of Banten, Indonesia are culturally divided into two groups, namely <em>Urang Jero </em>(inner Kanekes) who follow the traditions and customs strictly, and an <em>Urang Luar</em> (outer Kanekes) who tolerate minor deviations from the customs and traditions. The present study looks into the vitality status of the traditional knowledge (TK) and language of the community, comparing trends from the inner and outer Kanekes. Sixteen knowledgeable elders from the <em>Urang Jero </em>(inner Kanekes) were interviewed in the first phase, while thirty randomly chosen adult members from the <em>Urang Luar</em> (outer Kanekes) and another 30 from the <em>Urang Jero </em>(inner Kanekes) were interviewed in the second phase. Interviews followed the methodology stipulated by the TK and Language Vitality Index (TraLaVi) which was used to analyse the vitality of TK and language. The results of the study show that the Urang Kanekes have been successful in maintaining high TK and language vitality, and there is no significant difference in the vitality status of TK and language between the inner and outer Kanekes people.