Karampuang Ecopedagogy Model: Local Wisdom and Ecological Education in Indigenous Communities in Sinjai, South Sulawesi

This study aims to describe the Karampuang Ecopedagogy model as a form of ecological education grounded in local wisdom within the indigenous community of Tompobulu Village, Sinjai Regency, South Sulawesi. The model is rooted in the ecological-spiritual philosophy of Sulapa Eppa, which emphasizes balance among fire, earth, water, and wind as the foundation of harmony between humans and nature. This research applies a qualitative ethnographic approach within a critical ethnopedagogy framework to examine values, norms, and social practices shaping ecological awareness. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with traditional leaders (Tomatoa, Gella, Guru, Sanro), the village head, community figures, and indigenous youth, supported by participatory observation and document analysis. Findings reveal that Karampuang Ecopedagogy is embedded in the Sulapa Eppa worldview and institutionalized through the Ade’ Eppae social system, Paseng ri Ade customary rules, and collective rituals such as Mappogau Sihanua, which function as intergenerational ecological learning media. The model integrates tradition, education, and modern technology to foster critical ecological consciousness and social resilience. This study confirms that local wisdom-based ecological education provides an effective strategy for community empowerment and contextual ecopedagogy development in Indonesia.