Preserving the Tepak Sirih Tradition as a Medium of Customary Communication and Respect for the Datuk Penghulu in Melayu Tengah Village

Background: Indigenous local wisdom faces erosion from modernization, yet cultural artifacts like the Malay tepak sirih remain vital for symbolic communication. This study addresses the vulnerability of its authentic meaning against modern substitutions. Objective: To evaluate the impact of a community engagement intervention on youth comprehension of customary authenticity and to document the living local wisdom embedded in the tepak sirih tradition. Methods: Employing a mixed-methods approach, we intertwined descriptive ethnography with a quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design. Ethnographic data were gathered via in-depth interviews with customary leaders, while the quasi-experimental arm assessed youth comprehension before and after the educational intervention. Results: The tradition functions as a formal customary invitation to the Datuk Penghulu, comprising five symbolic components. Ethnographic data revealed a shift from strict genealogical verification to flexible procedural norms, though the symbolic boundary rejecting modern substitutions remains intact. The quasi-experimental intervention significantly enhanced youth comprehension of customary authenticity. Conclusion: The tepak sirih operates as living local wisdom, adapting procedurally to contemporary social demands while sustaining Malay cultural identity through symbolic resilience, highlighting the efficacy of participatory documentation for intergenerational transmission.