Attitudes of Generations X, Y, and Z Toward Sumang Culture

Sumang is a system of customary norms within the Gayo community that maintains politeness, morality, and social order. However, modernization and globalization may weaken the internalization of local cultural values, particularly among younger generations. This study aimed to examine differences in attitudes toward sumang culture among Generations X, Y, and Z. This quantitative study involved 342 respondents aged 15-65 years from four subdistricts in Central Aceh Regency, selected through purposive sampling. Attitudes were measured using a scale evaluated with the Rasch Partial Credit Model. The final 28-item scale met the unidimensionality assumption, showed adequate item fit, and demonstrated high reliability (PSR = 0,950). Person trait scores (θ) were then analyzed using linear regression with generation as dummy-coded predictors and Generation X as the reference group. The results revealed that Generation Z had significantly lower attitudes toward sumang culture than Generation X (p < 0,001), whereas Generation Y did not differ significantly from Generation X (p = 0,064). These findings highlight the need for generation-sensitive preservation strategies, particularly for Generation Z, through education, community-based initiatives, and digital media.