PASAGI – Centre for Indonesian Indigenous Studies conducts a wide range of research and development across various domains of indigenous knowledge systems. These fields of study are multidisciplinary, incorporating diverse sub-disciplines, each contributing to a comprehensive understanding of indigenous cultures and their relevance to contemporary society. The research focuses on the following key areas:
Indigenous Communities: Understanding the diverse ways in which indigenous peoples live, their social structures, and their relationships with the land, environment, and each other.
Indigenous Religion, Local Religion and Belief, Ancestral Religion, and Kepercayaan terhadap Tuhan Yang Maha Esa: Exploring the spiritual practices, rites, cosmologies, and belief systems that guide indigenous communities’ worldviews and their connections to nature and the divine.
Indigenous Philosophy: Investigating the fundamental principles of indigenous thought, ethics, and values, as well as their role in shaping cultural identities.
Indigenous Cosmology: Researching indigenous understandings of the universe, including their views on the origin of life, the cosmos, and the interconnectedness of all beings.
Indigenous Knowledge: Examining the traditional knowledge passed down through generations, including practical skills, survival strategies, and cultural narratives.
Indigenous Morals and Ethics: Analyzing the ethical frameworks guiding indigenous communities’ relationships with each other and the environment.
Methodology of Indigenous Knowledge: Investigating the approaches used by indigenous peoples to acquire, validate, and pass down their knowledge, including oral traditions, rituals, and experiential learning.
Study of Ancient Temples/Inscription, Manuscripts, and Ancient Nusantara Texts: Researching historical texts, inscriptions, and archaeological sites that reveal insights into the cultural heritage of Indonesia’s indigenous communities.
Indigenous Ceremonies/Rituals: Examining the role of rituals and ceremonies in indigenous cultures, their significance, and how they contribute to community cohesion and cultural transmission.
Traditional Calendars and Indigenous Astronomy: Studying indigenous methods of timekeeping, including the use of traditional calendars and astronomical knowledge for agricultural, religious, and social purposes.
Indigenous Science and Technology: Investigating fields such as ethnomathematics, ethnotechnology, and other traditional scientific knowledge that indigenous peoples have developed to interact with and understand their environments.
Sustainable Indigenous Economy and Business Development: Researching sustainable economic practices rooted in indigenous traditions, focusing on resource management, community-based economies, and eco-friendly enterprises.
Indigenous Pharmacy and Traditional Medicine: Studying the medicinal plants, healing practices, and health systems developed by indigenous communities, with an emphasis on their role in contemporary healthcare.
Traditional Food Processing Techniques and Products: Exploring indigenous methods of food cultivation, preservation, and culinary practices, including the production of unique food products.
Indigenous Law: Investigating the customary laws that govern indigenous communities, including their legal systems, dispute resolution methods, and land tenure practices.
Indigenous Territories: Examining the traditional land-use systems, the management of indigenous territories, and the challenges related to land rights and sovereignty.
Cultural Heritage Sites and Indigenous Heritage: Researching the preservation and significance of indigenous cultural heritage sites, including sacred places, traditional villages, and ancient artifacts.
Indigenous Architecture: Studying traditional building techniques, indigenous architectural styles, and the cultural meanings behind architectural structures.
Indigenous Spatial Planning: Investigating indigenous land and resource management systems, including traditional approaches to community planning and environmental stewardship.
Cultural Advancement Objects (Objek Pemajuan Kebudayaan): Analyzing the cultural objects, artifacts, and symbolic items that hold significance for indigenous communities.
Traditional Scripts and Languages: Researching indigenous languages and scripts, with a focus on their preservation, revitalization, and the role they play in cultural identity.
Oral Literature/Oral Traditions of Indigenous Communities (Folklore): Examining the rich oral traditions of indigenous peoples, including myths, legends, stories, and performances that shape their cultural heritage.
Indigenous Psychology: Studying the psychological frameworks, belief systems, and mental health practices unique to indigenous communities.
Indigenous Spiritual, Myths and Mysticism: Investigating the spiritual and mystical beliefs, symbols, and stories that guide indigenous worldviews.
Traditional Arts and Crafts: Researching indigenous arts, including dance, music, visual arts, and crafts, to understand how they reflect cultural values and heritage.
Water, Land, Agriculture, Farming, Plantation, Forestry, and Fisheries Governance: Investigating indigenous approaches to the governance of natural resources, including sustainable practices in agriculture, fishing, and forest management.
Environmental Management and Climate Change Mitigation: Exploring how indigenous knowledge systems contribute to environmental conservation and climate change adaptation strategies.
Conservation of Natural Resources and Biodiversity Based on Indigenous Knowledge: Researching the traditional ecological knowledge that indigenous communities use to conserve biodiversity and manage ecosystems sustainably.
Indigenous Rights: Advocating for the protection and recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights, including land rights, cultural rights, and political autonomy.
Gender Justice and Indigenous Customs: Exploring the roles of gender in indigenous societies and the relationship between indigenous gender norms and broader social justice issues.
Uncontacted Indigenous Peoples: Studying the unique cultures and issues faced by indigenous peoples who remain isolated from mainstream society.
Other Issues Related to Indigenous and Ancestral Cultural Traditions: Addressing various challenges faced by indigenous communities in the modern world, including the loss of traditions and the impacts of globalization.
Human Rights, Democracy, and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights: Focusing on the protection of indigenous peoples’ human rights through democracy and rule of law framework, including issues of land rights, cultural preservation, and self-determination.
Pancasila, Peacebuilding, and Indigenous Peoples: Exploring how indigenous values align with national principles, particularly in fostering peace and harmonious coexistence.
Anti-Terrorism and Deradicalization: Investigating how indigenous knowledge and traditions can contribute to anti-terrorism efforts and the promotion of peace.
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Indigenous Peoples: Researching how indigenous communities can engage with and influence the broader ESG framework, focusing on sustainability, social equity, and responsible governance.
Additionally, PASAGI also places a strong focus on research related to climate change, food security, environmental sustainability, agrarian justice, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those directly related to indigenous communities and their traditional knowledge systems. These areas of research are crucial in addressing global challenges while respecting the invaluable insights that indigenous peoples offer in creating a sustainable and harmonious future.