Designing the “kesah: son of ranying hatalla langit” tabletop trading card game (TCG) as a medium for preserving dayak ngaju folklore

The cultural heritage and folklore of the Dayak Ngaju people in Central Kalimantan—including heroic tales from Tetek Tatum and the philosophy of Batang Garing—are gradually being forgotten by younger generations due to the tide of modernisation. Current conventional learning media have proven ineffective in capturing teenagers’ interest in exploring this cultural legacy. This research aims to design an interactive medium in the form of a Tabletop Trading Card Game (TCG) titled “Kesah: Son of Ranying Hatalla Langit” as a cultural preservation innovation. The design methodology using 5W+1H analysis, with data collected through literature review, observation, and consumer journey analysis from audiences aged 13-25 years. This design adapts local folklore and beliefs into strategic gameplay mechanics, allowing players to directly engage with cultural narratives. The output of this design is a complete starter pack that includes a card deck, rulebook, and play mat. It is also supported by promotional media such as motion videos and merchandise. Through this medium, we hope to reintroduce the wisdom and values of Dayak Ngaju culture in a way that’s communicative, competitive, and relevant to today’s youth lifestyle.