Kawidu Rice Fields as a Natural Laboratory for Sustainable Cultural Learning in Bali based on Ethnopedagogy

Abstract

Cultural tourism in Bali faces the challenge of declining rice field area due to land conversion into villas, residential areas, and commercial facilities. This decline has resulted in the loss of cultural heritage and the ecological function of rice fields as part of the traditional Subak agricultural system. This study develops the concept of KAWIDU (Educational Tourism Activities) based on ethnopedagogy as an effort to preserve culture and the environment. The ethnopedagogical approach integrates local values and cultural wisdom into practical learning activities in the field, which improve the hard skills and soft skills of the local community and tourists. The implementation of KAWIDU in Tangguntiti Village, Tabanan Regency, Bali, involves the community in the process of rice field education, introduction to the Subak system, and environmentally friendly agricultural practices, while also developing economic potential through educational tourism. As a result, KAWIDU not only strengthens cultural and environmental awareness but also adds economic value to the local community by increasing their capacity as tour guides, craftsmen, and facilitators. Promotion through social media and digital platforms supports the sustainability and accessibility of this educational tourism. This study recommends further development of KAWIDU as a model of sustainable education and tourism that connects culture, ecology, and the local economy for the holistic advancement of Balinese society.