Historical Development Of The Kirim Language: Its Benefits To 21st-Century Learners

Abstract

This research analyzed the historical evolution of Kirim by examining surviving documents printed in the script through content analysis. The purpose of the activity was to safeguard the recorded Kirim manuscripts, which are integral to the cultural legacy of the Meranaw people. The study employed qualitative historical research to enhance and revise Meranaw history by exploring accounts from surviving manuscripts written in Kirim. This involved methods such as collecting archival data, locating surviving cultural artifacts, recording narratives, and analyzing content from primary and secondary sources. The informants were literate in kirim, Islamic scholars, and owners of surviving kirim manuscripts like Darangen, Salsilah, Bolong, Katao/Kakasi, and Adimat. Information was collected through face-to-face interviews utilizing an interview guide and then documented using a smartphone voice recorder app. The study demonstrated that Kirim played a crucial role in shaping the Meranaw identity by serving as a primary tool for recording their social, cultural, political, and religious activities. Kirim is a modified Arabic writing system that plays a crucial role in chronicling the oral traditions of the Mëranaw people. Kirim should be included in school curricula, especially in social studies classes, and in alignment with the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education initiative of the Department of Education to enhance its preservation. Further research on Kirim is needed to analyze its influence on the Meranaw community and its relationships with the writing systems of adjacent Southeast Asian countries.