Abstract
<jats:p>Background and purpose Traditional martial arts are increasingly recognized as powerful instruments for moral and character education. In Indonesia, Langga a traditional martial art from Gorontalo embodies core virtues such as discipline, respect, perseverance, humility, and spirituality, reflecting a strong ethnopedagogical foundation. However, empirical synthesis of its educational impact remains limited. This study aims to systematically analyze the influence of Langga martial arts values on character education by integrating global and local evidence through a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis approach. Material and methods Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, the study identified 256 initial records from major academic databases, of which 25 met the inclusion criteria. Seventeen studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and eight in the meta-analysis, representing approximately 3,000 participants across various martial arts contexts. Data extraction and quality assessment followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist to ensure methodological rigor. Quantitative data were analyzed using a random-effects model with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software, while qualitative findings were synthesized thematically. Results The meta-analysis yielded a moderate overall effect size (Hedges’ g = 0.46, 95% CI [0.32–0.59], p < 0.001) indicating that martial arts values significantly enhance moral and social character development. Subgroup analysis revealed that traditional Indonesian martial arts, including Langga and Pencak Silat, demonstrated higher effects (g = 0.53) compared to modern Asian (g = 0.44) and mixed martial arts (g = 0.38). The results were robust, with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 62%) and no publication bias (Egger’s p = 0.21). Conclusions The findings affirm that Langga functions as a culturally grounded pedagogical model that harmonizes physical discipline with moral cultivation, supporting Lickona’s tripartite framework of moral knowing, feeling, and action. Integrating Langga into educational practice enriches character education curricula and strengthens cultural identity.</jats:p>