Training on Poem Pantun Composition Based on Local Wisdom for Junior High School Students

Abstract

This community service project addresses the declining interest in traditional literature among the younger generation, particularly junior high school students, who often perceive pantun as a rigid and archaic art form. The primary objective of this activity was to equip students with the technical and creative skills to compose pantun rooted in the rich local wisdom of South Sumatra. Using a participatory training and intensive mentoring approach based on the Service Learning model, the program was implemented in four systematic stages: preparation, socialization, practical action, and evaluation. The results demonstrated a significant transformation in student performance, with the overall average competency score jumping from 49.1 to 82.4. Specifically, rhyme consistency improved by 95.5%, indicating that students successfully mastered the $a-b-a-b$ structure through the application-based "End-Sound Matching" method. Furthermore, the integration of local stimuli, ranging from the Musi River and Ampera Bridge to culinary icons like Pempek, resulted in a 142.8% increase in the use of cultural diction. Qualitatively, the students showed a paradigm shift, viewing pantun as an exciting and relevant medium for self-expression rather than a tedious academic task. The program’s sustainability is secured through the integration of this method into school literacy extracurriculars and the publication of a digital booklet of student works. This initiative proves that local wisdom serves as an effective pedagogical bridge, not only enhancing literary literacy but also fostering a deep sense of cultural identity and pride among Gen-Z students.