Abstract
As a cultural heritage containing traditional teachings, Pemali has been since
long time practiced by the local people of Indonesia in almost all parts of the
archipelago. The traditional teachings are nowadays potential of conflicting with
the current life style of people due to a number of factors. This study aims at
providing data and information about perception, attitude, and obedience of
Indonesian people toward the pemali by investigating four independent variables
i.e. ethnic group, sex, age, and education of the samples. A total of 318 samples
of Indonesian people residing in East Kalimantan Province participated in the
study. The data of perception, attitude, and obedience collected by questionnaires
form the samples specified in each of the four independent variables were then
analyzed quantitatively by using analysis of variance (Anova) procedure,
homogeneity test, and multiple comparison test. The statistic computations of the
data analysis were done by applying SPSS computer program. The results of the
analysis indicated that the majority of samples performed good perception as well
as positive attitude toward pemali. In terms of obedience toward pemali, samples‘
obedience was categorized into 3 levels: very high, high, and moderate. The
study concluded that amid the modern life style of the present era, the archipelago
people keep upholding the local cultural values handed down from their ancestors
as parts of their national identity.