The yellow book as a cultural identity marker of bireuen as a Santri City

The Kitab Kuning (Yellow Book) has long played a central role in shaping the intellectual and cultural foundations of Islamic education in Indonesia. In Aceh, particularly in Bireuen—widely recognized as a Kota Santri (Santri City)—the Yellow Book functions not only as a pedagogical instrument but also as a marker of religious identity and communal belonging. This study examines how the Yellow Book operates as a cultural identity marker for the Bireuen community, highlighting the continuity of Islamic scholarly traditions amid processes of modernization and socio-political change. Drawing on literature review, field-based observations, and secondary data, the analysis situates dayah (traditional Islamic boarding schools) as the primary institutions responsible for preserving and transmitting Yellow Book knowledge. The findings indicate that the Yellow Book continues to shape Bireuen’s intellectual character through the formation of santri, the authority of ulama, and the integration of classical religious texts into everyday social life. This process of identity construction reinforces Bireuen’s position as a center of Islamic learning in Aceh and illustrates the cultural resilience of pesantren traditions within the broader Nusantara context. Overall, the study contributes to discussions on Islamic education, local identity formation, and the preservation of Islamic cultural heritage in Southeast Asia.