Intergenerational cultural transmission: Batik training as a strategy for strengthening the cultural identity of Indonesian diaspora students in Germany

Isma Widiaty; Cica Yulia; Ade Gafar Abdullah; Ari Arifin Danuwijaya; Muktiarni Muktiarni; Raya Sulistyowati; Irma Rachmawati Maruf; Haen Muhaemanurrohmah; Desyane Ramadhina Sari

doi:10.17509/abmas.v26i2.796

Intergenerational cultural transmission: Batik training as a strategy for strengthening the cultural identity of Indonesian diaspora students in Germany

Isma Widlaty ^{Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia,} ^Indonesia , Cica Yulia ^{Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia,} ^Indonesia , Ade Gafar Abdullah ^{Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia,} ^Indonesia , Ari Arifin Danuwijaya ^{Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia,} ^Indonesia , Muktiarni ^{Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia,} ^Indonesia , Raya Sulistyowati ^{Universitas Negeri Surabaya,} ^Indonesia , Irma Rachmawati Maruf ^{Universitas Pasundan,} ^Indonesia , Haen Muhaemanurrohmah ^{Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia,} ^Indonesia , Desyane Ramadhina Sari ^{Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia,} ^Indonesia ,

11 December 2026 · Vol. 26 No. 2 (2026): Jurnal Abmas · Articles

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Abstract

Young Indonesian diaspora members in Germany face cultural erosion because they have limited access to structured heritage learning. This overseas community service program (Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat Luar Negeri/PkM-LN) aimed to facilitate intergenerational cultural transmission and strengthen diaspora students' cultural identity through shibori batik training. The Shibori Batik Workshop was held from 11-16 June 2026 at Otto von Guericke University (OvGU) Magdeburg, Germany, through collaboration among three Indonesian universities, UPI, Unesa, and Unpas, using Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) and experiential learning. Researchers selected 22 students using criteria-based purposive sampling (total sampling), facilitated by UPI graduate students in Technology and Vocational Education. We measured effectiveness with pre- and post-tests of 30 multiple-choice items covering shibori techniques, batik's cultural values and philosophy, the creative economy, cultural diplomacy, and the SDGs. On average, all participants improved. The program also produced shibori works by all participants, explored a joint textile-craft module with OvGU, and expanded European partnership networks. Batik training proved effective as a medium of cultural transmission and an instrument of cultural diplomacy.

Keywords : cultural diplomacy , cultural identity , Indonesian diaspora , shibori batik

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