Pedagogical Innovation Through Kaili Culture Promotes Student Learning Motivation

General Background Education and culture are inseparable, with local wisdom serving as a fundamental foundation for national identity and character building amidst globalization. Specific Background In Central Sulawesi, the rich regional traditions provide highly relevant instructional resources to create contextual educational experiences for elementary pupils. Knowledge Gap However, current pedagogical practices frequently underutilize these traditional assets, leading to uneven participation and suboptimal educational drive. Aims This study describes the utilization of regional arts within the "My Neighborhood" theme to foster pupil enthusiasm at SD Inpres 2 Tondo. Results Qualitative data from observations, interviews, and questionnaires demonstrated that incorporating the Pamonte Dance through video presentations and collectively singing the Posisani Song stimulated positive interest, enthusiasm, attention, perseverance, and curiosity. Nevertheless, active participation remained unequal, particularly among children from different demographic backgrounds who lacked prior exposure to these traditions. Novelty This research specifically highlights the direct motivational outcomes of applying targeted indigenous arts as active, contextual study materials, moving beyond generalized heritage preservation. Implications Educators must implement culturally responsive guidance and diversified multimedia to accommodate diverse demographic backgrounds, ensuring equitable participation in heritage-based pedagogy. Highlights Incorporating regional arts like Pamonte Dance stimulates active classroom participation. Contextual traditional resources generate positive enthusiasm and curiosity during instruction. Diverse demographic backgrounds necessitate varied media to ensure equitable engagement. Keywords Kaili Culture; Contextual Learning; Pamonte Dance; Posisani Song; Learning Motivation