Local wisdom unveiled: A global exploration of indigenous knowledge for sustainability and education

This study systematically reviews and analyzes the growing body of literature on local wisdom, focusing on its relevance to global challenges such as sustainability, education, and environmental management. Using a systematic literature review (SLR) combined with bibliometric analysis and the PRISMA approach, 438 articles from the Scopus database, published between 2011 and 2025, were analyzed. The findings show a significant rise in publications since 2016, with a peak in 2024, led primarily by Indonesia, followed by contributions from Southeast Asia and Western countries. Local wisdom is predominantly discussed within the social sciences, intersecting with fields like environmental science, character education, and disaster management. Bibliometric analysis highlighted key authors and significant publication sources, emphasizing the growing interdisciplinary relevance of local wisdom. The discussion underscores the importance of integrating local wisdom into global frameworks for sustainable development and education, while noting the limitations of the study, such as the dominance of English-language publications and regional research concentration. Recommendations include expanding geographic and disciplinary inclusivity, incorporating more local perspectives, and fostering international collaboration to enhance global understanding of indigenous knowledge systems, offering valuable insights for addressing the challenges of sustainability and cultural preservation.