Traditional Malay Music of Riau: Cultural Identity and its Implications for Humanistic Music Education

This study examines the traditional music of the Riau Malay community as a cultural practice that represents collective identity and explores its implications for humanistic music education. Employing a qualitative conceptual design based on a systematic literature review, this research synthesizes studies in ethnomusicology, praxial philosophy of music education, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and UNESCO’s framework on intangible cultural heritage. The analysis reveals that Riau Malay traditional music conveys social, moral, and spiritual values through communal musical practices, functioning not only as an artistic expression but also as a medium for transmitting cultural knowledge and shaping collective identity. The findings indicate that integrating traditional music into music education can expand pedagogical goals from technical skill acquisition to the development of empathy, cultural awareness, ethical sensitivity, and meaningful learning experiences. Furthermore, such integration supports the sustainability of intangible cultural heritage by fostering intergenerational transmission, community involvement, and creative continuity. This study contributes theoretically by bridging ethnomusicology and humanistic music education, and practically by offering a conceptual foundation for culturally grounded pedagogical design. The study advocates for music education that is contextually relevant, culturally sustaining, and oriented toward human flourishing in multicultural societies.