Gde Agung Sri Sidhimantra, Nadi Suprapto, Dodik Arwin Dermawan, Dimas Novian Aditia Syahputra, Salamun Rohman Nudin, Septian Rahman Hakim
This study explores the use of virtual reality (VR) technology to maintain and revitalize the traditional cultural practice of Karapan Sapi, the bull racing tradition of Madura, Indonesia. Innovative strategies are needed to engage younger generations in cultural heritage, as globalization and technological progress increasingly distance them from their cultural roots. While VR has been applied in education and tourism, its role in preserving ethnosport traditions like Karapan Sapi remains underexplored. VR has distinctive prospects for crafting immersive and interactive experiences that augment user engagement and bolster cultural conservation. Eighty-five Gen Z participants (aged 20-24) were recruited, with exclusions applied for individuals familiar with the tradition and those with vertigo or migraines. Data were collected through pre- and postexperience knowledge tests, an unannounced two-week follow-up test, and 20 question surveys that covers engagement, immersion, learning interest, cultural preservation, and technology’s role. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS) was employed to validate the relationships among constructs. The results revealed substantial knowledge gains, with average scores rising from 20.35% (pre-test) to 78.70% (post-test) and stabilizing at 69% in follow-up, demonstrating effective knowledge retention. Survey responses showed high internal consistency (e.g., Engagement α = 0.923; Cultural Preservation α = 0.920), confirming reliability. The SEM-PLS analysis indicated strong path coefficients, particularly between immersion and learning interest (β = 0.742) and engagement and cultural preservation (β = 0.969), highlighting VR’s ability to stimulate curiosity and foster heritage appreciation. This study highlights the potential of virtual reality (VR) as a useful instrument for preserving cultural heritage. It also provides a fresh way to interact with the digital generation and encourage the continued applicability of ancient traditions in the contemporary environment. Copyright (c) 2026 The Authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Department of Information Management, Faculty of Vocational, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia; Department of Physics Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia; Department of Technology and Vocational Education, Graduate School of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
