Locally based syncretic literacy practices among multicultural students in North Sumatra
Abstract
This study reveals how different multicultural students in North Sumatra interpret heritage symbols as literacy artifacts available in their new place, and how the assimilation process occurs in the context of broader literacy practices in the surrounding environment. Through a participatory case study approach, students were encouraged to capture photographs of literacy artifacts of their choosing within their own environments and to engage in group discussions about these images. The data were analyzed using a framework of syncretic literacy practices, emphasizing acceptance, adaptation, adoption, and synergy or reaction. This study explores ethical meaning-making across different spaces, languages, and modes, examining how multicultural students interpret local culture from their home contexts and whether these interpretations mirror broader faith-based literacy practices within their communities. The results suggest that syncretic literacy practices hold significant potential to inform policy development, enhance the role of literacy in everyday life, and improve literacy education curricula. Moreover, such practices promote the blending and integration of culturally diverse traditions in both the form and organization of literacy activities.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Adler, N. J. (1980). Cultural synergy: The management of cross-cultural organizations. In W. W. Burke & L. D. Goodstein (Eds.), Trends and issues in OD: Current theory and practice (pp. 163–184). University Associates.
Adolph, R. (2018). Research in literature and language: Philosophy, areas and methodology. Notion Press.
Apriyani, T., & Nalurita, B. A. Y. (2023). Nilai kebangsaan pada karya-karya Leila S. Chudori. Diglosia: Jurnal Kajian Bahasa, Sastra, Dan Pengajarannya, 6(2), 375–388. https://doi.org/10.30872/diglosia.v6i2.594
Ary, D., Jacobs, L. C., & Sorensen, C. (2009). Introduction to research in education (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Chang-Bacon, C. K., Khote, N., Schell, R., & Crookes, G. V. (2021). Critical literacy in English language teaching, bi/multilingualism, and translanguaging. The Handbook of Critical Literacies, September, 40–49. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003023425-5
Christensen, M. (2019). Literacy practices in two Danish-Somali families. Apples - Journal of Applied Language Studies, 13(4), 27–42. https://doi.org/10.17011/apples/urn.201912185423
Cintra, M. S. (2013). Literacy, ethnicity and style. Advances in Anthropology, 3(4A), 7–12. https://doi.org/10.4236/aa.2013.34a002
Cultural Adjustment | International Office. (n.d.). In internationaloffice.berkeley.edu. Retrieved September 10, 2025, from https://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/living/cultural
Curdt-christiansen, X. L. (2022). Family language policy and school language policy: Can the twain meet? International Journal of Multilingualism, 19(3), 466–475. https://doi.org/10.1080/14790718.2022.2050242
Dixon, K. (2014). Making space for literacy learning: The impact of spatial and temporal organization in constructing a writing subject in the early years. https://repository.unam.edu.na/server/api/core/bitstreams/659853dc-415b-4a76-b0a2-56e5f23a5611/content
Duranti, A., & Ochs, E. (1996). Syncretic literacy: Multiculturalism in Samoan American families. UC Berkeley: Center for Research on Education, Diversity and Excellence. Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5np8688p
Dyson. (2016). Child, cultures, schooling and literacy. Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group.
Febriyanto, D., Nurjana, K., Anista, E., & Mardiansyah, D. (2021). Kearifan lokal dalam hikayat Komering Pitu Phuyang. Diglosia: Jurnal Kajian Bahasa, Sastra, Dan Pengajarannya, 4(3), 321–334. https://doi.org/10.30872/diglosia.v4i3.227
Gutiérrez, K. D. (2014). Integrative research review: Syncretic approaches to literacy learning. Leveraging horizontal knowledge and expertise. 63rd literacy research association yearbook, 48-61.
Henning, L. (2023). Remixing literacy: Young children producing literacy practices for research participation. Learning, Culture and Social Interaction, 38(December 2022), 100682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lcsi.2022.100682
Kuby, C. R. (2012). K. Dixon, Literacy, Power, and the Schooled Body: Learning in Time and Space . Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 12(1), 98–102. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468798411419404
Lestari, D. (2018). The synergy of culture and education in shaping nation character. International Seminar and Annual Meeting BKS-PTN Wilayah Barat 1(1), 168-171, FKIP UNSRI in collaboration with BKS-PTN Wilayah Barat https://conference.unsri.ac.id/index.php/semirata/article/view/1063
Lundqvist, U., & Erduyan, I. (2024). Syncretic literacy practices among Arab heritage students in Denmark . Language and Education, 39(1), 111–131. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2024.2308813
Magfiroh, D. N., Yamtinah, S., Wiyarsi, A., Widarti, H. R., & Shidiq, A. S. (2026). Improving students’ science literacy and collaboration skills through culturally responsive transformative teaching model with podcasts and e-assessment. Jurnal Pembelajaran, Bimbingan, Dan Pengelolaan Pendidikan, 6(6), 2. https://doi.org/10.17977/um065.v6.i6.2026.2
Maisaroh, S., Santoso, A., & Roekhan, R. (2024). Fungsi dan bentuk metafora pada Patu Mbojo. Diglosia: Jurnal Kajian Bahasa, Sastra, dan Pengajarannya, 7(4), 665-672. https://doi.org/10.30872/diglosia.v7i4.1070
Mills, K. A., & Comber, B. (2013). Space, place, and power: The spatial turn in literacy research. In K. Hall, T. Cremin, B. Comber & L.C. Moll (Eds.), International handbook of research on children's literacy, learning, and culture (pp. 412-423). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118323342.ch30
Pahl, K., & Rowsell, J. (2005). Literacy and education: Understanding the new literacy studies in the classroom. Paul Chapman Publishing A SAGE Publications Company.
Ren, L., & Hu, G. (2013). Prolepsis, syncretism, and synergy in early language and literacy practices: A case study of family language policy in Singapore. Language Policy, 12(1), 63–82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10993-012-9260-9
Sam, D. L., & Berry, J. W. (2010). Acculturation: When individuals and groups of different cultural backgrounds meet. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(4), 472-481. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691610373075
Setyani, T. I. (2011). Meniti sinkretisme teks Tantu Panggělaran. Jurnal Kawistara, 1(2), 103–212. https://doi.org/10.22146/kawistara.3914
Tanko, M. (2022). Nexus of risk preference, culture and religion in the adoption of improved rice varieties: Evidence from Northern Ghana. Land Use Policy, 115(February), 106040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2022.106040
Volk, D. (2013). “Contradictions, clashes, cominglings”: The syncretic literacy projects of young bilinguals. Anthropology & Education Quarterly, 44(3), 234–252. https://doi.org/10.1111/aeq.12024
Wittwer, J. (2018, May 18). Adoption: True Cultural Integration. In Success Across Cultures. https://successacrosscultures.com/2018/05/18/adoption-true-cultural-integration/
Wittwer, J. (2020, March 27). The four principles of cultural acceptance: Becoming culture-neutral. In Success Across Cultures. https://successacrosscultures.com/2020/03/27/the-four-principles-of-cultural-acceptance-becoming-culture-neutral/
Wulandari, R., Hidayat, A., Amalia, R., & Fadli, M. (2023). Reimagining literacy practices in indonesian classrooms: Translanguaging pedagogies in multilingual contexts. Jurnal Tahuri, 20(1), 80-98. https://doi.org/10.30598/tahurivol20issue1page80-98
Zhang, Z. (2023). Pedagogical variations of critical literacies practices in a secondary transnational education program. Linguistics and Education, 75, 101185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2023.101185
Adolph, R. (2018). Research in literature and language: Philosophy, areas and methodology. Notion Press.
Apriyani, T., & Nalurita, B. A. Y. (2023). Nilai kebangsaan pada karya-karya Leila S. Chudori. Diglosia: Jurnal Kajian Bahasa, Sastra, Dan Pengajarannya, 6(2), 375–388. https://doi.org/10.30872/diglosia.v6i2.594
Ary, D., Jacobs, L. C., & Sorensen, C. (2009). Introduction to research in education (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Chang-Bacon, C. K., Khote, N., Schell, R., & Crookes, G. V. (2021). Critical literacy in English language teaching, bi/multilingualism, and translanguaging. The Handbook of Critical Literacies, September, 40–49. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003023425-5
Christensen, M. (2019). Literacy practices in two Danish-Somali families. Apples - Journal of Applied Language Studies, 13(4), 27–42. https://doi.org/10.17011/apples/urn.201912185423
Cintra, M. S. (2013). Literacy, ethnicity and style. Advances in Anthropology, 3(4A), 7–12. https://doi.org/10.4236/aa.2013.34a002
Cultural Adjustment | International Office. (n.d.). In internationaloffice.berkeley.edu. Retrieved September 10, 2025, from https://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/living/cultural
Curdt-christiansen, X. L. (2022). Family language policy and school language policy: Can the twain meet? International Journal of Multilingualism, 19(3), 466–475. https://doi.org/10.1080/14790718.2022.2050242
Dixon, K. (2014). Making space for literacy learning: The impact of spatial and temporal organization in constructing a writing subject in the early years. https://repository.unam.edu.na/server/api/core/bitstreams/659853dc-415b-4a76-b0a2-56e5f23a5611/content
Duranti, A., & Ochs, E. (1996). Syncretic literacy: Multiculturalism in Samoan American families. UC Berkeley: Center for Research on Education, Diversity and Excellence. Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5np8688p
Dyson. (2016). Child, cultures, schooling and literacy. Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group.
Febriyanto, D., Nurjana, K., Anista, E., & Mardiansyah, D. (2021). Kearifan lokal dalam hikayat Komering Pitu Phuyang. Diglosia: Jurnal Kajian Bahasa, Sastra, Dan Pengajarannya, 4(3), 321–334. https://doi.org/10.30872/diglosia.v4i3.227
Gutiérrez, K. D. (2014). Integrative research review: Syncretic approaches to literacy learning. Leveraging horizontal knowledge and expertise. 63rd literacy research association yearbook, 48-61.
Henning, L. (2023). Remixing literacy: Young children producing literacy practices for research participation. Learning, Culture and Social Interaction, 38(December 2022), 100682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lcsi.2022.100682
Kuby, C. R. (2012). K. Dixon, Literacy, Power, and the Schooled Body: Learning in Time and Space . Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 12(1), 98–102. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468798411419404
Lestari, D. (2018). The synergy of culture and education in shaping nation character. International Seminar and Annual Meeting BKS-PTN Wilayah Barat 1(1), 168-171, FKIP UNSRI in collaboration with BKS-PTN Wilayah Barat https://conference.unsri.ac.id/index.php/semirata/article/view/1063
Lundqvist, U., & Erduyan, I. (2024). Syncretic literacy practices among Arab heritage students in Denmark . Language and Education, 39(1), 111–131. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2024.2308813
Magfiroh, D. N., Yamtinah, S., Wiyarsi, A., Widarti, H. R., & Shidiq, A. S. (2026). Improving students’ science literacy and collaboration skills through culturally responsive transformative teaching model with podcasts and e-assessment. Jurnal Pembelajaran, Bimbingan, Dan Pengelolaan Pendidikan, 6(6), 2. https://doi.org/10.17977/um065.v6.i6.2026.2
Maisaroh, S., Santoso, A., & Roekhan, R. (2024). Fungsi dan bentuk metafora pada Patu Mbojo. Diglosia: Jurnal Kajian Bahasa, Sastra, dan Pengajarannya, 7(4), 665-672. https://doi.org/10.30872/diglosia.v7i4.1070
Mills, K. A., & Comber, B. (2013). Space, place, and power: The spatial turn in literacy research. In K. Hall, T. Cremin, B. Comber & L.C. Moll (Eds.), International handbook of research on children's literacy, learning, and culture (pp. 412-423). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118323342.ch30
Pahl, K., & Rowsell, J. (2005). Literacy and education: Understanding the new literacy studies in the classroom. Paul Chapman Publishing A SAGE Publications Company.
Ren, L., & Hu, G. (2013). Prolepsis, syncretism, and synergy in early language and literacy practices: A case study of family language policy in Singapore. Language Policy, 12(1), 63–82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10993-012-9260-9
Sam, D. L., & Berry, J. W. (2010). Acculturation: When individuals and groups of different cultural backgrounds meet. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(4), 472-481. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691610373075
Setyani, T. I. (2011). Meniti sinkretisme teks Tantu Panggělaran. Jurnal Kawistara, 1(2), 103–212. https://doi.org/10.22146/kawistara.3914
Tanko, M. (2022). Nexus of risk preference, culture and religion in the adoption of improved rice varieties: Evidence from Northern Ghana. Land Use Policy, 115(February), 106040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2022.106040
Volk, D. (2013). “Contradictions, clashes, cominglings”: The syncretic literacy projects of young bilinguals. Anthropology & Education Quarterly, 44(3), 234–252. https://doi.org/10.1111/aeq.12024
Wittwer, J. (2018, May 18). Adoption: True Cultural Integration. In Success Across Cultures. https://successacrosscultures.com/2018/05/18/adoption-true-cultural-integration/
Wittwer, J. (2020, March 27). The four principles of cultural acceptance: Becoming culture-neutral. In Success Across Cultures. https://successacrosscultures.com/2020/03/27/the-four-principles-of-cultural-acceptance-becoming-culture-neutral/
Wulandari, R., Hidayat, A., Amalia, R., & Fadli, M. (2023). Reimagining literacy practices in indonesian classrooms: Translanguaging pedagogies in multilingual contexts. Jurnal Tahuri, 20(1), 80-98. https://doi.org/10.30598/tahurivol20issue1page80-98
Zhang, Z. (2023). Pedagogical variations of critical literacies practices in a secondary transnational education program. Linguistics and Education, 75, 101185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.linged.2023.101185
Published
2026-06-30
How to Cite
SIHITE, Jubilezer; PANGARIBUAN, Rotua Elfrida; SINAGA, Nenni Triana.
Locally based syncretic literacy practices among multicultural students in North Sumatra.
Pioneer: Journal of Language and Literature, [S.l.], v. 18, n. 1, p. 64-82, june 2026.
ISSN 2655-8718.
Available at: <https://unars.ac.id/ojs/index.php/pioneer/article/view/7275>. Date accessed: 17 aug. 2026.
doi: https://doi.org/10.36841/pioneer.v18i1.7275.
Issue
Section
Articles
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
An author who publishes in Pioneer: Journal of Language and Literature agrees to the following terms:
- Author retains the copyright and grants the journal the right of first publication of the work simultaneously licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal
- Author is able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book) with the acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Author is permitted and encouraged to post his/her work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of the published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
