The Journal of Ethnophysics (JoE) is a leading, peer-reviewed, and open-access journal dedicated to publishing scholarly works that explore the intersection of physics and cultural knowledge. The journal focuses on research that highlights traditional, indigenous, and local practices, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches to understanding and teaching physics within diverse cultural contexts. JoE publishes original research articles, case studies, reviews, and essays that examine key issues in physics education, ethnophysics, gamification, and the integration of cultural knowledge into scientific learning. The journal aims to promote innovative, inclusive, and culturally sensitive approaches to the teaching and learning of physics. JoE is committed to open access and provides free availability of its content to readers worldwide. All published works are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC-BY-SA) license, ensuring maximum dissemination, use, and reuse of scholarly work. The journal is currently preparing for future indexing in Scopus and other major international databases to enhance visibility and impact in the global research community. Journal Information Journal Title: Journal of Ethnophysics Initial : JoE Abbreviation: J. Ethnophys. Frequency: 2 issues per year (January & July) Online ISSN: 3125-0475 Editor in Chief: Prof. Nadi Suprapto, Ph.D Executive in Chief: Dr. Habibi, M.Pd. Article Proces Charge (APC): No Charge (Free) Publisher: Universitas Negeri Surabaya or the State University of Surabaya Abstracting and Indexing: Google Scholar
Prodi S2 Pendidikan Fisika Universitas Negeri Surabaya
Thermal Performance and Natural Ventilation in Javanese Joglo Architecture: A Systematic Literature Review from an Ethnophysics Perspective
Traditional Javanese Joglo architecture is widely recognized for its climatic adaptability; however, systematic understanding of its thermal performance and natural ventilation mechanisms, particularly from an ethnophysics perspective, remains limited and fragmented, with existing studies addressing cultural interpretations and building-physics performance separately. This study aims to synthesize existing research on the thermal and ventilation performance of Joglo and Joglo-type Javanese architecture and to interpret the findings through the lens of ethnophysics, linking cultural architectural practices with underlying physical principles. A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA framework, resulting in six Scopus-indexed open-access studies published between 2017 and 2025. The reviewed studies employed computational simulations, field measurements, and qualitative analyses to examine indoor thermal conditions, airflow behavior, architectural geometry, and material characteristics. The synthesis reveals that thermal comfort in Joglo and Joglo-type architecture is primarily achieved through passive strategies. The reviewed evidence suggests that comfort is driven more by airflow and heat exchange processes than by substantial reductions in indoor air temperature. Wind-driven horizontal ventilation dominates in Joglo architecture, while comparative vernacular cases demonstrate complementary buoyancy-driven and material-mediated airflow mechanisms. These findings indicate that traditional architectural forms embody empirically grounded applications of heat transfer and fluid mechanics developed through cultural adaptation. Ethnophysics bridges traditional architecture, building physics, and physics education by linking Joglo design with heat transfer and airflow principles. This review helps readers understand indigenous architecture as applied physics, supporting physics education, sustainable design, and interdisciplinary research on vernacular adaptation.
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Exploring Physics Concepts in Songkok Recca Craft of the Bugis People in Bone South Sulawesi
Songkok Recca is a handicraft product of the Bugis Bone People of South Sulawesi and is an intangible cultural heritage in Indonesia. Songkok Recca contains various physics concepts that can be explored scientifically. Physics learning is often considered difficult for students, so there needs to be evaluation through the contextual and meaningful learning approach provided to help students form better understanding of physics concepts. This research aims to identify the physics concepts involved in the process of making Songkok Recca crafts and explore their potential in physics learning in a contextual manner. The method used in this research is a literature review research with data used as a source from various literature on the topic being studied. Based on the research that has been conducted, the physics concepts found in the Songkok Recca craft include force, pressure, work and energy, momentum and impulse, and equilibrium. The results of the research show that the Songkok Recca crafts of the Bugis Bone People of South Sulawesi can be used as a meaningful source of contextual physics learning. This research contributes to the development of ethnophysics by providing a comprehensive scientific interpretation of Songkok Recca crafts. In addition, the integration of Songkok Recca in physics learning is expected to improve the ability to understand concepts, physics literacy, and appreciation of local culture for students.
The Implementation of Glocalization Learning Using Mayang Rontek Dance from Mojokerto to Improve Students' Science Literacy
This study investigates the implementation of glocalization learning using the Mayang Rontek Dance of Mojokerto to improve junior high school students’ scientific literacy. The novelty of this research lies in applying a glocalized ethnoscience approach through the Mayang Rontek Dance beyond its original cultural setting. A pre-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design was employed involving 45 students. Data were collected through validation sheets, observation sheets, scientific literacy tests, and student response questionnaires, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, a paired-samples t-test, and N-gain analysis. The results showed that the teaching modules and instructional materials were highly feasible, with most validation aspects scoring above 90%, although the student worksheet (LKPD) component obtained the lowest score (75%). The implementation of the glocalization learning model was categorized as very good. Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in students’ scientific literacy skills (t = 4.993, p < 0.001), with the mean score increasing from 48 on the pretest to 70 on the posttest and an N-gain value of 0.42 (moderate category). The greatest improvement occurred in students’ ability to evaluate scientific information and make decisions based on credible evidence. Student responses were highly positive, particularly regarding the systematic presentation (97.78%) and clarity of illustrations (95.56%). These findings indicate that Mayang Rontek Dance-based glocalization learning is feasible and effective for enhancing scientific literacy while supporting local cultural preservation.
Exploration of Mechanical Energy in the Pletokan Traditional Game as Ethnophysics Based Learning Media
The integration of local culture in science learning through an ethnophysics approach can create contextual and meaningful learning experiences. However, studies specifically exploring the concept of mechanical energy in traditional games are still limited. This study aims to explore the concept of mechanical energy in the traditional Pletokan game and analyze its potential as an ethnophysics-based physics learning medium. The novelty of this research lies in the exploration of potential energy, kinetic energy, and mechanical energy concepts in the Pletokan game from an ethnophysics perspective. This study used a descriptive qualitative approach with an exploratory design. Data were collected through observation, documentation, and literature studies related to the mechanism of the Pletokan game and the physical phenomena occurring during gameplay. The results showed that the Pletokan game contains concepts of potential energy, kinetic energy, mechanical energy, and energy transformation. These concepts appear during the process of air compression, projectile motion, and the emergence of the characteristic “pletok” sound. The findings indicate that the Pletokan game has the potential to be used as an ethnophysics-based physics learning medium that connects physics concepts with local culture in a contextual way. This study implies that traditional games can support innovative physics learning while preserving local cultural values.
An Ethnophysics Exploration of Traditional Marble Games: Analysis of Momentum and Impulse Concepts
Physics learning is often perceived as abstract and less relevant to students’ daily lives, resulting in low motivation and conceptual understanding. One approach that can overcome this problem is ethnophysics, which integrates physics concepts with local culture and traditional activities. This study aims to explore the concept of momentum in traditional marble games through an ethnophysics approach. This research used a qualitative descriptive method with an exploratory design. Data were collected through observation, documentation, and literature studies related to ethnophysics, traditional marble games, and momentum concepts. The novelty of this study lies in the specific analysis of momentum concepts in traditional marble games, which has rarely been explored in previous ethnophysics studies. The results showed that momentum and Impulse concepts appear during the movement and collision of marbles in the game. The magnitude of momentum is influenced by the mass and velocity of the marbles, where larger marbles produce greater momentum and faster-moving marbles generate stronger collisions. These findings indicate that traditional marble games can be used as contextual and meaningful physics learning resources on momentum concepts. This study contributes to the development of ethnophysics-based learning through the integration of local culture into physics education.