Abstract:This anthropological study examines the experiences of the Muslim minority in Rantepao City, North Toraja Regency, focusing on religious freedom and interfaith dynamics. In a predominantly Christian region, the Muslim community…
mmunity navigates its religious identity within a deeply rooted Torajan cultural landscape. Through ethnographic methods, including participant observation and in-depth interviews, this research explores how minority Muslims practice their faith, access public space, and maintain communal harmony. The findings reveal that religious freedom in Rantepao is negotiated through a balance of cultural assimilation and religious preservation. While formal rights are generally respected, subtle social boundaries exist, particularly regarding religious expression and ritual intersections with traditional Torajan customs (Aluk To Dolo). This study highlights the resilience of the Muslim minority and demonstrates how local cultural mechanisms facilitate daily coexistence, offering crucial insights into religious tolerance and minority-majority relations in contemporary Indonesia.
Abstract:This study examines the Bau Lolon ritual in Kolilanang Village, Adonara Sub-district, East Flores Regency, focusing on its role as a traditional practice of ancestral veneration. The Bau Lolon ritual serves as a sacred medium…
edium for the local community to express gratitude, seek blessings, and maintain a spiritual connection with their ancestors. Utilizing a qualitative approach with ethnographic methods, data were gathered through field observations, structured interviews with traditional elders (Tua Adat), and documentation of the ritual steps. The findings reveal that the ritual embodies deep philosophical values, including cosmic balance, kinship solidarity, and cultural identity preservation. Furthermore, the Bau Lolon ritual functions as a social mechanism that strengthens communal bonds among the villagers. Despite modern societal shifts, the people of Kolilanang continuously preserve this ritual, demonstrating a resilient synthesis between ancestral traditions and contemporary community life.
Abstract:This research examines the persistence of the Mangrara Banua Tongkonan ceremony in Akung Village through a cultural anthropology approach. As a sacred Torajan ritual, this traditional house consecration ceremony endures…
due to its deep cultural significance for the local community. Anthropological analysis reveals that Mangrara Banua is not merely a physical celebration of a new structure, but a cultural institution rich in symbolic meaning. First, the ritual serves as a collective expression of gratitude to God the Creator. Second, it functions to articulate and legitimize the family's social status (tana') within the community hierarchy. Third, this momentum acts as a unifying medium for the extended family (tongkonan) to reinforce kinship ties. Finally, the ritual embodies sacred reverence for the ancestors. Through an anthropological lens, the continuity of this tradition proves that the Tongkonan remains the cosmic, social, and spiritual center for the people of Akung Village amid modernization.
Abstract:This study examines the development of the Rammang-Rammang karst landscape in Maros Regency, South Sulawesi, into a prominent ecotourism destination, through an anthropological perspective. Utilizing qualitative methods—including…
��including in-depth interviews, participant observation, and focus group discussions—this research explores how the local community navigates the rapid shift from a traditional agrarian and riverine lifestyle to a tourism-based economy. Anthropological analysis reveals that while ecotourism provides alternative livelihoods and fosters local pride, it also introduces challenges regarding cultural commodification, shifts in communal values, and spatial contestation. The findings indicate that the local community exercises significant agency by integrating their ancestral kinship networks (siri’ na pacce) into modern tourism management. This cultural adaptation serves as a mechanism for community resilience, ensuring that external commercial pressures do not fully erode local identity. This study concludes that sustainable tourism development in heritage sites like Rammang-Rammang depends on recognizing local communities not merely as stakeholders, but as active cultural custodians of the karst landscape
Abstract:This study provides an overview of the implementation of the Regulation of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 72 of 2022 in Merauke Regency. The purpose of this study is to analyze and comprehensively describe the implementation…
mentation of the Regulation of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 72 of 2022 in Merauke Regency and to identify the factors inhibiting its implementation in the region. This study applies Edward C. III’s policy implementation theory and uses a qualitative research approach through in-depth interviews with 16 informants to explore their meanings, perceptions, and understandings. A semi-structured interview approach was employed to enable the researcher to obtain flexible yet focused data, as stated by Prof. Dr. Lexy J. Moleong (2014). The study utilized an interactive data analysis technique consisting of data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results of this study indicate that the implementation of the Digital Population Identity (IKD) policy in Merauke Regency has been carried out in accordance with directives from the central government through a tiered and continuous communication mechanism. However, its implementation has not yet been optimal at the regional level. The main obstacles include limited socialization, low understanding and acceptance of the policy among implementers, the absence of specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for IKD, and the lack of motivation, commitment, and integrity of human resources, ICT infrastructure, and budgetary support. In addition, the social, economic, cultural, and geographical conditions of the community also hinder the utilization of IKD, resulting in its limited use and the continued dominance of physical population documents. The findings of this study emphasize the need to strengthen communication aspects, resources, implementers’ commitment, and policy adjustments to local conditions in order to achieve the objectives of the IKD policy effectively and equitably.
Abstract:This study aims to identify the effectiveness of farmer group associations (Gabungan Kelompok Tani) in empowering the farming community in Kampung Jaya Makmur, Kurik District. The research employs a descriptive qualitative…
ve approach. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation. The study analyzes organizational effectiveness based on four indicators: Human Relations (focusing on organizational involvement), Open System Model (adaptation and innovation), Internal Process Model, and Rational Goal Model (productivity and goal achievement). The results show that in Kampung Jaya Makmur, the head of the farmer group association has never conducted socialization or training for farmer groups on how to produce or provide natural fertilizers using locally available materials, despite the uncertainty of continuous fertilizer supply. The effectiveness of farmer group associations in empowering the community is highly needed to support farmers in becoming more independent. Farmer group associations can provide services such as access to technological information and capital, as well as establish partnerships with external parties. This study recommends that farmer group associations strengthen participation and member involvement through more regular deliberation forums and active engagement of all levels of farmers. It also emphasizes the need to enhance the use of technology and alternative agricultural methods, such as organic fertilizers, and to expand training and mentoring programs so that farmers can reduce their dependence on chemical fertilizers.
Keywords: Effectiveness, Farmer Group Associations, Farmer Community Empowerment
Abstract:Forest and land fires constitute a strategic environmental issue affecting ecological stability, public health, and sustainable regional development. As a newly established autonomous region, South Papua Province faces institutional…
nstitutional and structural challenges in developing an effective and integrated fire control system. This study aims to analyze the implementation of forest and land fire control policies and identify factors influencing their effectiveness. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed through in-depth interviews, field observations, and document analysis. The study applies Edward III’s policy implementation framework focusing on communication, resources, disposition, and bureaucratic structure. The findings indicate that although the regulatory framework is adequate, implementation remains constrained by limited resources, suboptimal inter-agency coordination, and low public awareness. Compared to provinces such as Riau and Central Kalimantan, South Papua is still in the institutional strengthening phase. This study proposes a collaborative and community-based preventive approach rooted in local wisdom as a long-term strategy for sustainable fire management.
Abstract:Kelompok Informasi Masyarakat (KIM) serve as strategic partners of the government in disseminating information to the public, particularly in remote and rural areas. In the era of digital transformation, the role of KIM…
is increasingly crucial in promoting digital literacy to enhance access, understanding, and utilization of information technology among communities. This study aims to examine and optimize the role of KIM in improving digital literacy in Merauke Regency. A qualitative approach was employed, using data collection techniques such as observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis with several active KIM groups in Merauke. The results show that although KIM holds great potential as agents of digital literacy, limitations in human resource capacity, technological infrastructure, and lack of training are the main challenges. Therefore, optimizing the role of KIM requires regular training, cross-sector collaboration, and regulatory and budgetary support from the local government. Thus, KIM can become key drivers in building an inclusive and competitive digital society in Merauke.
Abstract:The palm oil industry plays a strategic role in Indonesia's economy, including in Merauke Regency, which is one of the developing palm oil plantation areas in Papua. However, challenges in production efficiency, environmental…
ental sustainability, and competitiveness remain obstacles in the industry's value chain. Innovation in various aspects of the value chain, such as productivity improvement through agricultural technology, processing efficiency, and product diversification based on palm oil, is a key factor in enhancing the industry's competitiveness. This study aims to analyze the role of innovation in the palm oil industry value chain in Merauke Regency by identifying the types of innovations applied and the factors that support or hinder their adoption. The research employs a qualitative approach, using data collection techniques such as in-depth interviews, observations, and document studies. The findings indicate that upstream sector innovations, such as the use of superior seedlings and digital plantation management, have improved productivity and efficiency. Meanwhile, downstream innovations in palm oil processing and value-added product diversification still face challenges, particularly in infrastructure and regulatory aspects. The study's implications suggest that optimizing innovation in the palm oil value chain requires more adaptive policies, increased investment in research and development, and capacity building for human resources. Thus, innovation can serve as a driving force in creating a more competitive, sustainable palm oil industry that contributes to local economic development in Merauke Regency.
Abstract:The Community Information Group (KIM) program is a strategic initiative by the Department of Communication and Information Technology of Merauke Regency to encourage active community participation in managing information…
and communication. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the KIM program's implementation, covering aspects of planning, execution, and its impact on the community. The research method employed is a qualitative approach, with data collection techniques including interviews, observations, and document studies. The evaluation results indicate that the KIM program has positively contributed to improving community information literacy, particularly in rural areas. However, several challenges were identified, such as limited human resources, uneven technological infrastructure, and low community participation in certain activities. Therefore, strategic measures are needed, including enhancing the capacity of KIM members, expanding access to information technology, and optimizing synergy between local government, local communities, and other stakeholders. This study is expected to serve as a reference for developing a more effective and sustainable KIM program in the future.