Exploring the relationship between the eighteen character values in Indonesian National identity and East Borneo folklore

The article focuses on mapping resonance between folklore narratives and the 18 character values adopted by the government of Indonesia, with the potential to facilitate integration in the New National Capital City. The aspects of Indonesian identity in this research context are defined by the same ideological system and character education principles comprised of 18 character values of Indonesian education, namely religiousness, honesty, tolerance, discipline, work ethic, innovation, independence, democratic, curiosity, patriotism, nationalism, appreciation, hospitality, loving peace, loving reading, environmental concern, socially concern and responsibility. Sources of data are words, phrases, sentences and paragraphs found in 105 folklore stories containing 18 character values of Indonesian education. Data collection processes are carried out by close reading and data reduction. The data is then analyzed via Van Dijk’s text analysis, which includes macrostructure, superstructure, and microstructure. A macrostructural analysis examines narrative themes that correspond with the 18 character values. The context of events or actions is elucidated through superstructure analysis, which also delineates the emergence of a theme. Microstructural analysis seeks to identify 18 character value themes in phrases, paragraphs, and words. The results indicate that there are 17 character values in folklore. The three most prominent Indonesian identities are religiosity, social concern and responsibility, which correlate with the context of the community’s social activities. Due to the oral nature of traditional folklore transmission, it is challenging to identify characters who exhibit a passion for reading activities. This study highlights the complexity of Indonesian identity by demonstrating that while traditional folklore plays a significant role in shaping the national character, it also reflects a diversity of cultural values and beliefs. It further contributes to current scholarship by exploring the dynamic interaction between Indonesian folklore and ethnic identity, emphasizing how traditional narratives nuance and reflect modern conceptions of national character identity that can contribute to a more distinct international presence, facilitating better understanding and cooperation between countries and promoting cross-cultural exchange and dialogue.