TELAGA BURET AS AN ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE IN THE ORAL LITERATURE OF TULUNGAGUNG

This study argues that the oral narrative of Telaga Buret functions as an ecological landscape with symbolic meanings central to the Tulungagung community's relationship to nature. By exploring how water in the narrative embodies both cultural values and ecological wisdom, the research reveals a cosmological worldview that ties the community to environmental stewardship. Employing a qualitative approach and narrative analysis, the study collected oral accounts from local informants, transcribed the stories, and analyzed symbolic elements related to ecological ethics. The findings show that Telaga Buret is seen not merely as a geographical site but as a spiritual space respected, preserved, and deeply connected with customary values. In the narrative, water symbolizes purity, life, and balance, reinforcing the community’s ecological awareness and sense of moral responsibility toward nature. The results underscore the urgency of revitalizing such oral traditions to promote culture-based environmental preservation and to develop ecological education rooted in local wisdom.