This study analyses the cultural-linguistic practices of Palembangnese (a Palembang Malay language in Indonesia). In particular, it identifies and analyses the use of humour and directives as a cultural artefact-practice, seeking commonalities across three popular data sets. These three data sets comprise: (1) 10 Kelakar Bethook Palembangnese humour (KB data sets); (2) 10 Ceramah Islamic speech (IS data sets); and (3) 10 Cerito Mang Juhai Uncle Juhai stories (JS data sets). KB and IS data sets are examples of verbal humour, while the JS data sets are textual humour. All data were downloaded, transcribed, translated into English, and examined via data notations and cultural explanations. The study used mixed-methods and discourse analysis. For quantitative analysis, the data were analysed focusing on the frequency, distribution and cross-tabulation of the key characteristics, types of humour and directives, and discourse features. For qualitative analysis, the Palembangnese humour and directives were grouped based on their features. Explanations are offered as to how the humour and directives rely on local cultural knowledge for Palembangnese interlocutors. The study revealed that Palembangnese humour and directives are found in all three data sets. Jokes appear with the highest frequency in each data genre (KB, IS and JS), followed by puns and teasing. The features of Palembangnese can be maintained through translation, although this requires extensive cultural explanatory information. The use of Palembangnese directives in the three data sets shows that the role of directives in Palembangnese humour is culturally accepted and expected by the participants/speakers in the scripts/topics. Across the three genres, commands, advice and requests are the most common forms of Palembangnese directives and they function as elements of Palembangnese humour. This indicates that there exists a mutual agreement between the interlocutor and/or audience which establishes rapport, and that this rapport is contingent upon a combination of face-threatening acts, humour, and directives. Overall, it was found that Palembangnese humour and directives are, based on their respective characteristics, salient. This research, as the first to make a significant contribution to the study of humour in the Palembangnese language/culture, will help promote and preserve the distinctive nature of Islamic Malay society, and raise general awareness of Palembangnese culture. This study further shows that the tradition of joking in Palembang culture continues in contemporary Palembang society
