Dalihan Na Tolu Culture and Islamic Education: Traditional and Religious Collaboration in Shaping Character
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31538/tijie.v6i4.2332Keywords:
Dalihan Na Tolu, Islamic education, Character formation, Local culture, Mandailing communityAbstract
This research aims to examine the collaboration between the local culture of Dalihan Na Tolu and Islamic education in the formation of adolescent character in the Mandailing community. This study is motivated by the urgency of character education, which not only relies on the formal system based on religion but also utilizes the power of local cultural values as an authentic source of informal education. This study uses a qualitative method with a sociology of education approach. Data were obtained through interviews with traditional leaders, religious leaders, Islamic education teachers, and adolescents, participatory observation of Islamic traditional practices and educational activities, and analysis of cultural and religious documents. The results of the study show that the milieu has a vital role in shaping the character of adolescents. Cultural and religious collaboration is reflected in local Islamic traditions, local Islamic educational institutions, and conflict resolution mechanisms. This research provides the basis for the formulation of inclusive education policies based on local wisdom. The implication is that integrating local culture and Islamic education can enhance the effectiveness of character education, serve as an alternative model, and cultivate a young generation with character, tolerance, and competitiveness.
Downloads
References
Amin, M., & Ritonga, A. D. (2024). Diversity, local wisdom, and unique characteristics of millennials as capital for innovative learning models: Evidence from North Sumatra, Indonesia. Societies, 14(12), 260.
Ansori, Y. Z., Nahdi, D. S., Juanda, A., & Santoso, E. (2024). Developing the Character of Elementary School Students Through Values-Based Leadership. Al-Ishlah: Jurnal Pendidikan, 16(4), 5335–5344.
Arizona, K., Rokhmat, J., Ramdani, A., Gunawan, G., & Sukarso, A. (2025). Integrating Islamic Values and Local Wisdom into Science Education: Enhancing Character Development in Higher Education. Ulumuna, 29(1), 398–428. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v29i1.1308
Asrohah, H., Junaedi, & Ritonga, I. (2025). Socio-Physical and Spiritual Environment (SPaSE) Model For Religious Moderation in Madrasa. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 8(1), 75–91. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v8i1.111
Azizah, M., Solikhin, S., & Lailiyah, N. (2024). Implementasi Sistem Informasi Manajemen Dalam Mendukung Pelayanan Administrasi. Ngaos: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pembelajaran, 2(2), 80–94. https://doi.org/10.59373/ngaos.v2i2.46
Basri, H. (2024). Integrating Islamic Values into Modern Educational Curricula: Challenges and Opportunities. Journa of Social Science, 1(5), 304–317.
Bhat, A. M., & Bisati, A. A. (2025). Rationality in the Qur’an: Integrating Reason and Revelation for Contemporary Islamic Education. Dirasah International Journal of Islamic Studies, 3(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.59373/drs.v3i1.40
Boyden, J., & Levison, D. (2000). Children as economic and social actors in the development process. EGDI Stockholm. https://eba.se/wp-content/uploads/2000/01/2000.1-Children-as-Economic-and-Social-Actors-in-the-Development-Process.pdf
Chattapadhyay, S. (2024). Interconnectivity and importance of environment and nature in spiritual and religious tradition. Intersecta Minds Journal, 3(3), 42–62.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2016). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage publications. https://books.google.com/books?hl=id&lr=&id=DLbBDQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=creswell&ots=-ir918MRVx&sig=tNz5z8VXFzzd5f4cdDUX4UCWYqQ
Effendi, A., Hairunnisa, H., & Jamaliah, J. (2025). Analysis of the Integration of Tahfiz Al-Qur’an in the Curriculum: Its Impact on Student Achievement. At-Tadzkir: Islamic Education Journal, 4(1), 81–92. https://doi.org/10.59373/attadzkir.v4i1.135
Elsayed, W. (2024). Building a better society: The Vital role of Family’s social values in creating a culture of giving in young Children’s minds. Heliyon, 10(7). https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(24)05239-3
Fata, N., Siregar, L. Y. S., Siregar, F. C., & Hasibuan, Z. E. (2025). Exploring Ethical Impacts: Internalizing Dalihan Natolu’s Values in Angkola Batak Society for Development of Moral Character. Dirasat: Human and Social Sciences, 52(6), 7240–7240.
Ghosh, B. (2024). Exploring Social Movements: Theories, Experiences, and Trends. Taylor & Francis. https://books.google.com/books?hl=id&lr=&id=DgQFEQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA1934&dq=2024+As+an+antithesis+to+nativism,+milieu+theory+positions+humans+as+dynamic+creatures+that+are+formed+gradually+through+continuous+interaction+with+their+environment&ots=vcQBm6TxCJ&sig=nUb0IC4v7vO95Scf7rmr1X5Vlas
Günther, S. (2006). Be masters in that you teach and continue to learn: Medieval Muslim thinkers on educational theory. Comparative Education Review, 50(3), 367–388.
Habituation of Religiosity: Theoretical Exploration in Understanding Children’s Politeness Through Civic Education. (2024). In S. Djazilan, P. Mariati, A. Rulyansah, Nafiah, & S. Hartatik, Studies in Systems, Decision and Control (pp. 825–835). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-50939-1_66
Hadiati, E., Dwiyanto, A., Setianingrum, D. A., Jatmiko, A., & Iqbal, I. (2025). Women Academic Leadership in Islamic Higher Education: Embracing the Society 5.0 Era. Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 6(2), 345–357. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v6i2.1860
Hakim, A. R., Wijono, H. A., Sugiyanto, S., Setyawan, A., & Khulailiyah, A. (2025). Implementasi Pendekatan Multidimensional Guru Aqidah Akhlak dalam Penanaman Sikap Percaya Diri. Ngaos: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pembelajaran, 3(1), 31–41. https://doi.org/10.59373/ngaos.v3i1.101
Hakim, M. N., & Mahmudati, A. D. (2024). Strategi Pengembangan Peserta Didik Perempuan Melalui Ekstrakurikuler di Madrasah Aliyah. Academicus: Journal of Teaching and Learning, 3(1), 19–28. https://doi.org/10.59373/academicus.v3i1.40
Haqpana, S. (2024). An exploration of the religious nature of Islamic private schools: What makes a school ‘Islamic’and why does it matter? [PhD Thesis, Brunel University London]. https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/31550
Harahap, S. M., Siregar, F. A., & Harahap, D. (2023). Tracing the Dynamic Spectrum of Religious Moderation in the Local Custom of North Sumatera. QIJIS (Qudus International Journal of Islamic Studies), 11(1), 65–102.
Hashimov, E. (2015). Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook and The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers: Matthew B. Miles, A. Michael Huberman, and Johnny Saldaña. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, 2014. 381 pp. Johnny Saldaña. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, 2013. 303 pp. Technical Communication Quarterly, 24(1), 109–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/10572252.2015.975966
Hendawi, M., Al Murshidi, G., Asrori, A., Hadi, M. F., Huda, M., & Lovat, T. (2024). The development of Islamic education curriculum from the Quranic perspective. Ar-Fachruddin: Journal of Islamic Education, 1(2), 93–123.
Interview Mr. MIH (one of the sharia bank employees). (2023). [Personal communication].
Interview With Mr SR (Panyabungan traditional leader). (2023). [Personal communication].
Izzah, K., & Magfiroh, L. (2025). Strategi Inovatif Manajemen Kesiswaan dalam Mengelola Disiplin Siswa melalui Tim Penegak di Sekolah Dasar. Attaqwa: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Islam, 21(1), 28–43. https://doi.org/10.54069/attaqwa.v21i1.798
Jauhari, I., Akhyak, A., Aziz, A., & Ajizah, R. U. N. (2025). Management of Excellent Madrasa Program in Increasing Institutional Competitiveness. Attaqwa: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Islam, 21(2), 93–108. https://doi.org/10.54069/attaqwa.v21i2.976
Jie, T. (2024). Multi-level influences on physical exercise behavior of high school students: A social ecological approach. International Journal of Education and Humanities, 4(3), 297–308.
Khoso, F. J., Shaikh, N., Dahri, K. H., & Imran, M. (2024). Educational Nurturing in Underdeveloped Contexts Unraveling the Dynamics of Student Teachers’ Holistic Development. Spry Contemporary Educational Practices, 3(1). https://journals.sprypublishers.com/index.php/CONTEMPORARY-EDUCATIONAL-PRACTIC/article/view/65
Miles, M. B. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Thousand Oaks. https://books.google.com/books?hl=id&lr=&id=U4lU_-wJ5QEC&oi=fnd&pg=PR12&dq=miles+huberman&ots=kGXA2ERZ1N&sig=WxizJNy8Gf1wUYYQGcgQcIfRg98
Moslimany, R., Otaibi, A., & Shaikh, F. (2024). Designing a holistic curriculum: Challenges and opportunities in islamic education. Journal on Islamic Studies, 1(1), 52–73.
Murryam, L., & Asad, S. (2024). Youth and Faith: A Deep Dredge into Modern Religious Expressions. Journal of Religious and Social Studies, 4(1 Jan-Jun), 56–75.
Permadi, B. A., Sain, Z. H., Thelma, C. C., & Alai, A. (2025). Development of Comic-based Akidah Akhlak Teaching Materials on Praiseworthy Morals in Madrasah Ibtidaiyah. Attadrib: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, 8(2), 384–396. https://doi.org/10.54069/attadrib.v8i2.868
Powers, J. A. (2024). The practical worship theology of Robert E. Webber [PhD Thesis, 88wwz]. https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/1wq31z
Rafiq, M. (2024). Dalihan Na Tolu in Da’wah Communication: Strengthening Social Cohesion in Panyabungan, Indonesia. MUHARRIK: Jurnal Dakwah Dan Sosial, 7(2), 155–181.
Ramadhan, R. S., Kusrini, N. A. R., & Ardianto, A. (2025). The Bridging the Lingustic Gap: Challenges in Building AI Models For Non-Standard Dialects. Attaqwa: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Islam, 21(1), 69–81. https://doi.org/10.54069/attaqwa.v21i1.978
Rangkuti, S. S., Sirait, S., & Soehadha, M. (2021). Accommodation of Islamic Education Responding to Local Culture. Al-Tahrir: Jurnal Pemikiran Islam, 21(1), 135–157.
Sabarudin, M., Ayyubi, I. I. A., Rohmatulloh, R., & Indriyani, S. (2023). The Effect of Contextual Teaching and Learning Models on Al-Quran and Hadith Subjects. At-Tadzkir: Islamic Education Journal, 2(2), 129–142. https://doi.org/10.59373/attadzkir.v2i2.43
Salamah, N., Mujiono, & Muslihun. (2025). Curriculum Management to Shape Students’ Competence in Knowledge, Religious Values, and Morals. Journal of Education and Learning Innovation, 2(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.59373/jelin.v2i1.90
Sapkota, M. (2025). Pluralism in Cultural Research: Methodological Critique through Interdisciplinary Lenses. Sanskriti: Journal of Humanities, 2(1), 11–22.
Schopenhauer, A., Aquila, R., Carus, D., & Kolak, D. (2016). Arthur Schopenhauer: The world as will and presentation: Volume I. Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315507897/arthur-schopenhauer-world-presentation-arthur-schopenhauer-richard-aquila-david-carus-daniel-kolak
Sefiana, S. D., Hidayati, E. W., & Albab, H. A. U. (2025). Praktik Metode Resitasi dalam Pembelajaran Al-Qur’an Hadist. Attaqwa: Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Islam, 21(1), 57–68. https://doi.org/10.54069/attaqwa.v21i1.989
Shabrina, N. R., Budimansyah, D., & Muthaqin, D. I. (2025). The Role of Adiwiyata Cadres in Fostering Students’ Environmental Awareness Character as Manifestation of Social Capital in Madrasah. Urwatul Wutsqo: Jurnal Studi Kependidikan Dan Keislaman, 14(1), 196–213. https://doi.org/10.54437/urwatulwutsqo.v14i1.2077
Siregar, Z. A. B., Akmal, S., Mohzana, M., Rahman, K., & Putra, F. T. (2023). Islamic Boarding School Leadership and Work Environment on Teacher Performance. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 6(3), 420–435. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v6i3.4065
Sitorus, F. A. B., & Susanti, E. (2024). Toba batak cultural system towards the role of parents in supporting children’s higher education in Bandar Pasir Mandoge. Jurnal EDUCATIO: Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia, 10(2), 262–271.
Syamsuar, S., Al-Fairusy, M., Junaidi, J., & Mulia, M. (2023). Settlement of Islamic Sharia Violations in the Perspective of Teungku Dayah and Local Wisdom Values on the West Coast of Aceh. Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun, 11(3), 985–1004. https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v11i3.995
Umar, M. F. A., Mopoliu, A. Z., Umar, M., Fadlan, A., & Surahman, C. (2025). Contextualization of Islamic Values through Local Wisdom: Study of the Values of Si Tou Timou Tumou Tou and Silih Asah Silih Asih Silih Asuh. Jurnal Ilmiah Iqra’, 19(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.30984/jii.v19i1.3351
Yu, Y., Appiah, D., Zulu, B., & Adu-Poku, K. A. (2024). Integrating rural development, education, and management: Challenges and strategies. Sustainability, 16(15), 6474.
Zamroni, M. A., Supriyanto, H., Fatikh, M. A., Sirojuddin, A., Sholihah, M., & Alai, A. (2024). Curriculum Management of Local Content in Fostering Religious Behavior: A Study at Madrasah Aliyah. Kharisma: Jurnal Administrasi Dan Manajemen Pendidikan, 3(2), 126–134. https://doi.org/10.59373/kharisma.v3i2.4
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Yusuf Pulungan

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Tafkir: Interdisciplinary Journal of Islamic Education is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://pasca.jurnalikhac.ac.id/index.php/tijie/index.




