Local wisdom in online communities in various regions: A visual ethnographic review

Abstract

The era of digitalization has changed the landscape of communication and social interaction in Indonesian society, creating a complex digital space where cultural values, traditions, and local wisdom accumulate in the frame of social media. This research aims to examine the manifestation of local wisdom in online communities in various regions of Indonesia and understand how traditional values adapt to digital technology without losing their cultural essence. This research is a qualitative study using a digital visual ethnography approach to seven locality-based online communities in four regions: @Merapi_Uncover and @Info Cegatan Jogja (Yogyakarta), @ics_infocegatansolo (Surakarta), @Infobandungraya and @infobandungkota (Bandung), and @garutupdate_ and @infogarut (Garut). Data collection was conducted through participant observation of community activities on Instagram and X (Twitter) platforms in the 2016-2025 time span, with qualitative analysis using categorization based on the manifestation of local wisdom. The results of the study identified five main dimensions of the transformation of local wisdom in online communities: (1) a non-profit orientation that adapts to commercial realities, (2) digital gotong royong manifested in sharing information and helping each other online, (3) transformation of community functions from a local focus to a multidimensional scope, (4) a digital greeting culture that maintains familiarity and kinship, and (5) the development of institutional cooperation that varies from informal collaboration to strategic partnerships.