Page 758 - Proceedings Collega2023

THE CUSTOMARY LAWS OF A MULTI- ETHNIC IN THE SELECTED TEEN NOVELS

ABSTRACT

The customs and values narrativized in young adult novels are part of the portrayal of society,
nations, or ethnic groups. However, these portrayals are not found in popular young adult novels, and
this issue needs attention. A study was conducted to explore customary laws and ethnic values present
in five selected young adult novels, "Ayah" (2019), "Penebus Kalbu" (2017), "Nyanyian Musim Rusuh"
(2016), "Nanyang" (2015), and "Jendela Menghadap Jalan" (2008). The study used the Sociocultural
Ethical Perspective proposed by Sugiarti & Eggy Fajar Andalas to examine customary laws and ethnic
values in the selected teen novels. The research found significant results, where customary laws were
identified through the values held by the Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Sungai Buludupi ethnic groups as
the ethnic culture accepted by the local community. In the teen novels this is reflected through the
characters present in the selected novels. These findings also demonstrate sociocultural ethics as a
guide that emphasises the importance of understanding the customs and values of other ethnic
groups. In conclusion, reading selected young adult novels can shed light on the customary laws and
values held by specific ethnic groups, and the benefits of reading these selected teen novels should be
disseminated and not limited to literature students alone.

Keywords: culture; ethnic; values; teen novels; social culture

International Conference on Local Wisdom of the Malay Archipelago (COLLEGA 2023) Page - 745 -