Ngelawang as a Medium for Children's Character Education: Reinterpretation of the Stigma of Barong Ngamen

Abstract

This study examines the ngelawang tradition, particularly its manifestation as Barong Ngamen, as a medium for children’s character education while reinterpreting its stigma as a mere street performance. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach through observation, interviews, and document analysis, the research highlights how symbolic actions, performative elements, and communal engagement in ngelawang foster moral, social, and cultural values among children. Findings indicate that participation in ngelawang cultivates virtues such as discipline, empathy, cooperation, and respect for tradition, positioning it as an informal but powerful pedagogical tool rooted in ethnopedagogy. The study further reveals that the integration of local wisdom into cultural performances strengthens identity, enhances intergenerational transmission of values, and supports national character education. By reframing barong ngamen from a stigmatized form of entertainment into a legitimate educational medium, this research underscores the significance of ngelawang in shaping children’s ethical dispositions and preserving Balinese cultural heritage. The results also suggest that incorporating indigenous traditions into educational frameworks enriches character formation and offers a culturally resonant response to contemporary educational challenges.