Language as a Repository of Indigenous Agricultural Knowledge: Insights from the Traditional Minangkabau Agricultural Lexicon
How to cite (AJARCDE) :
This review paper examines the critical role of language as a repository for indigenous agricultural knowledge, with specific focus on the traditional Minangkabau agricultural lexicon of West Sumatra, Indonesia. Drawing upon interdisciplinary perspectives from ethnolinguistics, ethnobotany, and cultural anthropology, this study synthesizes existing literature to demonstrate how agricultural terminology encodes generations of ecological wisdom, sustainable farming practices, and cultural values. The Minangkabau people, renowned for their matrilineal social system and strong cultural traditions, have developed a rich vocabulary related to rice cultivation, agroforestry, and land management that represents an invaluable repository of traditional ecological knowledge. This review identifies the structural characteristics of the agricultural lexicon, examines its role in transmitting indigenous knowledge across generations, and discusses the threats posed by modernization and language shift. The findings underscore the urgent need for documentation and revitalization efforts to preserve this linguistic heritage as a foundation for sustainable agricultural development and biocultural diversity conservation.
Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 15: Life on Land
[1] Agesti, A. R. A., Ariyanti, N. S., Chikmawati, T., & PURWANTO, Y. (2023). Ethnobotany of food plants used by minangkabau community in lima puluh kota district, west sumatra, indonesia. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d240529
[2] Ahmad, K. B., & Zulfidar, F. (2023). Understanding the concept of merantau, tau jo nan ampek and ninik mamak in minangkabau culture in west sumatra, indonesia. Asian Journal of Arts and Culture. https://doi.org/10.48048/ajac.2023.256669
[3] Alandra, Y., Amelia, F., & Iskandar, J. (2018). The traditional rimbo larangan system of forest management: An ethnoecological case study in nagari paru, sijujung district, west sumatra, indonesia. Asian Journal of Ethnobiology. https://doi.org/10.13057/ASIANJETHNOBIOL/Y010202
[4] Aras, T. S. (2017). KOSAKATA SISTEM PERTANIAN TRADISIONAL SUNDA: KAJIAN STRUKTUR DAN MAKNA. https://doi.org/10.26499/RNH.V6I1.294
[5] Budiyoko, Sunendar, Verrysaputro, E. A., & Nashar. (2025). Exploring agricultural local wisdom in the indigenous bonokeling community of banyumas district in central java, indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environment. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1441/1/012025
[6] Delfia, E., Wijana, D. P., Mastoyo, T., & Kesuma, J. (2023). LOCAL LANGUAGE AS REPRESENTATION OF LOCAL WISDOM IN THE WEST SUMATRA REGIONAL REGULATION. Curricula : Journal of Teaching and Learning. https://doi.org/10.22216/curricula.v8i2.2411
[7] Dorin, M., Moyano, M., & Chong, M. (2026). Recovering speech: Language study restoration. 2026 IEEE Engineering Education World Conference (EDUNINE). https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUNINE62390.2026.11547100
[8] Duakaju, N. N., & Imang, N. (2021). The practices of traditional knowledge and wisdom by multi-ethnics on swidden agriculture of kalimantan, indonesia. The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies. https://doi.org/10.24940/theijhss/2021/v9/i3/hs2103-020
[9] Gordon, A., & Ogbu, A. I. (2025). Endangered identity: Causes and consequences of dialects’ extinction in nigeria. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. https://doi.org/10.47772/ijriss.2025.903sedu0113
[10] Gucandra, Y., & Aprison, W. (2025). Revitalizing minangkabau traditional values as a solution to the multicultural education crisis in west sumatra. Jurnal Kajian Dan Pengembangan Umat. https://doi.org/10.31869/jkpu.v8i2.7467
[11] Harvey, W. (1996). Linguistic relativity in french, english, and german philosophy. Philosophy Today. https://doi.org/10.5840/philtoday199640223
[12] Hayati, Y., Manaf, N., Handrianto, C., Fathihah, N., & Azhar, N. (2024). Gender roles in traditional and modern minangkabau kaba: An analysis of ten selected narratives. Theory and Practice in Language Studies. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1411.19
[13] Hidayat, R., Iskandar, J., Gunawan, B., & Partasasmita, R. (2020). Impact of green revolution on rice cultivation practices and production system: A case study in sindang hamlet, rancakalong village, sumedang district, west java, indonesia. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d210354
[14] Hisa, L., Mahuze, A., & Arka, I. W. (2019). DOKUMENTASI ETNOBOTANI-LINGUISTIK TUMBUHAN SAGU: LAPORAN AWAL DARI ETNIS MARORI DI TAMAN NASIONAL WASUR MERAUKE. Linguistik Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.26499/LI.V35I2.69
[15] Kanara, N., Arifin, H. S., Zuhud, E. A., & Noorochmat, B. P. (2026). Plant diversity of ceremonial foods used by minangkabau ethnic group in west sumatra, indonesia. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d261233
[16] Kania, A. N. (2025). How does the proverb in sumbang duo baleh represent minangkabau culture? Parole: Journal of Linguistics and Education. https://doi.org/10.14710/parole.v14i1.41-51
[17] Kn, B. (2015). System of rice intensification for increased productivity and EcologicalSecurity: A report. https://doi.org/10.4172/2375-4338.1000147
[18] Kusuma, L. A., Damayanti, K., Damayanti, J. T., Nisa, J., Nurwulandari, M., Nazar, I. A., Yap, C. K., Naim, D. Md., & Setyawan, A. (2023). Traditional ecological knowledge and utilization of rice in sukoharjo district, central java, indonesia. International Journal of Bonorowo Wetlands. https://doi.org/10.13057/bonorowo/w130205
[19] L, P., A, K., EAM, Z., D, H., A, I., & Z., P. (2020). Wild food plants and trends in their use: From knowledge and perceptions to drivers of change in west sumatra, indonesia. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9091240
[20] Lidadun, B. P., Ag-Ahmad, N., hamit, ahmad fauze abdul, Lasimbang, R., & Logijin, S. I. (2025). Revitalising the kadazan language through kadazanlin GO! International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. https://doi.org/10.47772/ijriss.2025.925ileiid000052
[21] Ma, X., Luo, D., Xiong, Y., Huang, C., & Li, G. (2024). Ethnobotanical study on ritual plants used by hani people in yunnan, china. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-024-00659-y
[22] Majumder, E. (2025). CulturalEcho: Multimodal deep learning approaches to language preservation, documentation, and community-led revitalization. INTERANTIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT. https://doi.org/10.55041/ijsrem43064
[23] Mardatillah, A. (2020). The enterprise culture heritage of minangkabau cuisine, west sumatra of indonesia as a source of sustainable competitive advantage. Journal of Ethnic Foods. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42779-020-00059-z
[24] Mare, F., & Leba, B. S. (2025). Khazanah semantik leksikal bahasa ibu dalam sastra lisan syair rae raja lima. SENTRI: Jurnal Riset Ilmiah. https://doi.org/10.55681/sentri.v4i11.4985
[25] Murmu, J., Hansda, M., Murmu, M., Murmu, M., & Soren, M. (2026). AN OVER VIEW ON SANTAL CULTURE ENCODED IN THE LINGUISTIC SIGN. ShodhKosh Journal of Visual and Performing Arts. https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i2.2026.8789
[26] Ndukwani, T. (2025). Xigaza monday: Enhancing xitsonga language preservation through artistic expression. Journal of Linguistics Literature and Language Teaching (JLLLT). https://doi.org/10.37249/jlllt.v5i1.917
[27] Ohara, Y., & Machida, S. (2023). Uchinaaguchi learning through indigenous critical pedagogy: Why do some people in yomitan not know yomitan mountain? Languages. https://doi.org/10.3390/languages8010017
[28] Pokharel, S., Adhikari, B. S., Dhakal, K., & Dahal, S. R. (2025). Endangered voices: A sociological and anthropological review of the kusunda language and culture. Journal of Research in Education. https://doi.org/10.3126/jore.v2i1.92039
[29] Praptanti, E. D., & Alfian, A. (2023). REVITALIZING INDIGENOUS AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES: MANUGAL AS AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE FARMING METHOD IN DAYAK NGAJU, INDONESIA. Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Kebudayaan. https://doi.org/10.56444/nalar.v2i2.825
[30] R, K., & Takhellambam, M. (2022). A collaboratory model for creation of digital language archives in india. Electronic Library. https://doi.org/10.1108/el-02-2022-0030
[31] Rahayu, S., Yasin, F., Pratama, A., Fitlayeni, R., Amini, A., & Pratama, M. A. (2026). Disaster mitigation based on minangkabau indigenous knowledge in social studies learning. Jàmbá : Journal of Disaster Risk Studies. https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v18i1.2047
[32] Renganathan, S., & Kral, I. (2018). Digital preservation of language, cultural knowledge and traditions of the indigenous semai. https://doi.org/10.1051/SHSCONF/20185302001
[33] Sanubarianto, S. T., Mardiyono, Akmal, Wardhani, Y. F., Atmodjo, M. T., Nugraha, D., Rahman, K., Talan, M. R., Hamdiah, M., Efendi, A. N., Arsyad, A. R., Sukardi, Winangsih, R., & Badruzaman, H. (2025). Agroforestry lexicon in manggarai language: An effort to revitalize culture and empower indigenous peoples. Cogent Arts & Humanities. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2024.2444777
[34] Setiawan, I., & Kurnia, P. N. (2021). Existency, role and fading local wisdom of tidal farmer community in ciamis regency. Mimbar: Jurnal Sosial Dan Pembangunan. https://doi.org/10.29313/mimbar.v37i2.7748
[35] Siahaya, M. E., Hutauruk, T. R., Aponno, H., Hatulesila, J., & Mardhanie, A. B. (2016). Traditional ecological knowledge on shifting cultivation and forest management in east borneo, indonesia. https://doi.org/10.1080/21513732.2016.1169559
[36] Stark, A., & Hassan, A. A. (2023). The manifoldness of traditional knowledge: The example of the minangkabau society in west sumatra, indonesia. KEMANUSIAAN: The Asian Journal of Humanities. https://doi.org/10.21315/kajh2023.30.2.3
[37] Syahrul, N. (2025). Manjujai: The social function, local culture values, and universal of lullabies from west sumatra, indonesia. Early Childhood Education & Parenting. https://doi.org/10.17509/ecepa.v2i1.80346
[38] Vicol, D. (2025). The challenges and key issues in the promotion and conservation of cultural heritage. Înv???mântul Artistic – Dimensiuni Culturale, 2025. https://doi.org/10.55383/iadc2025.78
[39] Wirawati, C. U., & Widodo, Y. R. (2021). Assessment of antimicrobial and proteolytic activity of lactic acid bacteria isolated from dadih: Naturally fermented buffalo milk from west sumatra, indonesia. JURNAL ILMIAH PETERNAKAN TERPADU. https://doi.org/10.23960/jipt.v9i3.p346-361
[40] Zamzami, L., Hasmira, M. H., Harahap, J., & Aliman, M. (2025). EMPOWERING OF COASTAL COMMUNITY ECOTOURISM: THE ROLE OF CULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMONG FISHERMEN IN WEST SUMATRA, INDONESIA. Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites. https://doi.org/10.30892/gtg.58136-1421
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.