<![CDATA[Seudati Dance is an expression of Acehnese culture that represents community identity and serves as a medium for transmitting moral, religious, and social values across generations. This study aims to analyze its cultural communication mechanisms, identify values conveyed through verbal and nonverbal elements, and examine their transformation into character education for the younger generation. A qualitative cultural ethnography approach was employed, using participatory observation, in-depth interviews, documentation, and document analysis involving Seudati practitioners, cultural experts, traditional leaders, academics, teachers, trainers, and young people. Data were analyzed thematically, with credibility ensured through source and technique triangulation. The findings reveal that Seudati Dance constitutes a multimodal cultural communication system integrating verse, vocals, gestures, rhythm, foot clapping, formations, expressions, and group interaction. These elements convey religiosity, morality, discipline, responsibility, cooperation, solidarity, courage, and cultural identity. Their transformation into character education occurs through cultural meaning-making, participatory experience, habituation, reflection, and actualization. This study proposes a Seudati Cultural Communication Transformation Model linking cultural symbols, message interpretation, value internalization, and character actualization. The findings highlight the importance of revitalizing local culture's communicative and pedagogical functions beyond preserving performance traditions.]]>
