Ecological Wisdom in Oral Literature: An Ecolinguistics Analysis of Jambi Folktales

Abstract

This study investigated the ecological wisdom embedded within local oral literature by analyzing traditional Jambi folktales. In the modern era, dominant cultural narratives often promote environmental exploitation and human exceptionalism, necessitating a search for alternative, eco-centric discourses. Utilizing Arran Stibbe’s ecolinguistics framework, this qualitative descriptive research examined selected stories from the Kumpulan Cerita Rakyat Jambi to uncover "the stories we live by", specifically looking at how language structures the relationship between humans and the natural environment. The data were collected through textual documentation and analyzed using critical discourse analysis, focusing on ecological erasure, salience, and framing. The results revealed that Jambi folktales convey deep ecological wisdom, portraying nature not as a mere resource, but as an interconnected living system. Elements such as the preservation of the Batanghari River and respect for local fauna were highlighted through positive framing and moral imperatives. This study concludes that traditional oral literature serves as a crucial linguistic vehicle for fostering ecological awareness and countering destructive modern environmental narratives.