Adaptation and Continuity: Banjar Organizations and the Preservation of Balinese Ethnic Identity among Transmigrant Communities in Lampung, Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24843/JKB.2026.v16.i01.p01Keywords:
Balinese, banjar, community organization, ethnic identity, transmigrantAbstract
This study aims to analyze how Balinese transmigrants in Lampung sustain their ethnic identity through community organization, focusing on the adaptation and function of banjar organization in both enclave villages and urban settings. Employing qualitative field methods including interviews, surveys, and observation in Balinuraga village and Bandar Lampung city, the research contrasts the preservation strategies of traditional banjar institutions. The findings reveal that in rural enclaves, banjar structures closely replicate customary institutions from Bali, fostering strong ethnic, religious, and social cohesion. In contrast, urban banjar associations demonstrate greater inclusivity, accommodating inter-religious and inter-ethnic members and emphasizing cultural activities to reinforce identity. The study concludes that community organization remains crucial for ethnic continuity, but adaptation is required in diverse urban environments. Its novelty lies in the empirical comparison of banjar models across enclave and multicultural contexts, revealing unique mechanisms for maintaining identity. Further research should address generational change and the sustainability of banjar structures amid ongoing urbanization and social integration.
References
Ambarsari, N. et al. (2025). Transformation of Yoga in Bali in the Era of Global Tourism. Jurnal Kajian Bali (Journal of Bali Studies), [S.l.], v. 15(1), p. 37-60. https://doi.org/10.24843/JKB.2025.v15.i01.p02
Anwar, A. (2017). ‘ini Kan Bukan Bali': Interaksi Antar-Kasta Masyarakat Transmigran di Desa Kertoraharjo, Kabupaten Luwu Timur, Sulawesi Selatan. Jurnal Etnografi Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.31947/etnosia.v1i2.1611
Apriliani, R. (2019). The influence of ethnocentrism of ethnic stereotyping against Bali Teen on teen ethnic cultural backdrop in Lampung compound in the city of Bandar Lampung. Metakom, 3(1).
Arifin, Z., Delfi, M., & Pujiraharjo, S. (2019). Balinese migrants in Indonesia: Politics of ethnic identity in multicultural society. In Proceedings of the First International Conference on Social Sciences, Humanities, Economics and Law, September 5-6 2018, Padang, Indonesia.
Astara, I., & Wesna, W. (2017). Public policy and role of traditional security officer (Pecalang) of religious tolerance in the Traditional Village Kuta-Bali. Journal of Law, Policy & Globalization 67: 94. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/234651677.pdf
Banjar Bhuana Shanti. (2010). Profile Banjar Bhuna Shanti [Leaflet].
Barth, F., (1998). Ethnic groups and boundaries: The social organization of culture difference. Waveland Press.
Cohen, R.. (1978). Ethnicity: Problem and focus in anthropology. Annual Review of Anthropology 7(1): 379-403. Doi: 10.1146/annurev.an.07.100178.002115
Darling-Hammond, L., Burns, D., Campbell, C., Goodwin, A. L., Hammerness, K., Low, E-L., McIntyre, A., Sato, M., & Zeichner, K. (2017). Empowered educators: How high-performing systems shape teaching quality around the world. John Wiley & Sons.
Davies, S. (2017). The beautiful in Bali. In K. Higgins, S. Maira & S.Sikka (Eds.), Artistic visions and the promise of beauty, (Sophia Studies in cross-cultural philosophy of traditions and cultures), Vol. 16, pp. 225–236). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43893-1_17.
Firman, A.D., Hastuti, H.B.P., Parwati, S.A.P.E., Sudiana, I., Rahayu, R. and Malini, N.L.N.S. (2023). Linguistic adaptation among transmigrants: A case of Balinese. International Journal of Society, Culture & Language, 11(3), pp.171-187. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijscl.2023.2010583.3152
Gany, A. H., and S. S. Halli. (1993). Land development and transmigrant farmers in Southern Sumatra, Indonesia." International Migration (Geneva, Switzerland) 31(4) (1993): 561-577. https://10.1111/j.1468-2435.1993.tb00683.x
Geertz, C. (1963). The integrative revolution: primordial sentiments and civil politics in the new states. Old societies and new states: The quest for modernity in Asia and Africa (pp.105-157). Free Press.
Gerdin, I. E. K. (1982). The Unknown Balinese. Land, Labour and Inequality in Lombok. (Doctoral dissertation, University of Goteborgs, Sweden).
Geertz, H. & Geertz, C. (1975). Kinship in Bali. University of Chicago Press.
Putra, I. N. D., & Creese, H. (2012). More than just ‘numpang nampang’: Women's participation in interactive textual singing on Balinese radio and television. Indonesia and the Malay World, 40(118): 272-297.
Joseph, A., (1980). Karman, self-knowledge and I-Ching divination. Philosophy East and West, 30(1): 65-75.
Kagami, H. (2003). How to Live a Local Life: Balinese Responses to National Integration in Contemporary Indonesia, in Yamashita, Shinji & J. S. Eades (eds.), Globalization in Southeast Asia: Local, National, and Transnational Perspectives (pp. 65-80). Berghahn Books.
Kagami, H. (2005). Regional autonomy in process: A case study in Bali 2001-2003, Asian and African Area Studies, 05(1), 46-71.
Kagami, H. (2012). Shuto ni kurasu Bali-jin Hindu-kyoto (Hindu Balinese living in the capital city), in H. Kagami (Ed.), Minzoku-taikoku Indonesia (Multi-Ethnic Indonesia) (pp. 285-311). Mokuseisha (in Japanese).
Leinbach, T. R., & Watkins, J. F., and Bowen, J. (1992). Employment behavior and the family in Indonesian transmigration. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 82(1): 23–47.
Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. (n.d.). [The numbers of population and households]. Prodeskel. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from http://prodeskel.binapemdes.kemendagri.go.id/gjpenduduk_detil/
Sokolovskii, S. and Tishkov, V. (1996). Ethnicity, in A. Barnard & J. Spencer (Eds.), Encyclopedia of social and cultural anthropology. Routledge.
Sudarsana, I. K. (2017). Interpretation meaning of Ngaben for Krama Dadia Arya Kubontubuh Tirtha Sari Ulakan Village Karangasem District (Hindu religious education perspective). Vidyottama Sanatana: International Journal of Hindu Science and Religious Studies 1(1): 1-8.
Suprapto, S. (2015). Religious Leaders and Peace Building: The Role of Tuan Guru and Pedanda in Conflict Resolution in Lombok–Indonesia." Al-Jami'ah: Journal of Islamic Studies 53(1): 225-250.
Suryadinata, L., Arifin, E.N. and Ananta, A., (2003). Indonesia's population: Ethnicity and religion in a changing political landscape (No. 1). Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Suwondo, K., & nDoen. M.L. (2011). Membali di Lampung Studi Kasus Identitas Kebalian di Desa Balinuraga, Lampung Selatan (Being Balinese in Lampung: A Case Study of Balinese Identity in the Village of Balinuraga, South Lampung), (Doctoral dissertation, Doktor Studi Pembangunan Program Pascasarjana UKSW).
Tirtosudarmo, R. (2021). The Javanese in Lampung, Stranger or Locals? In: From Colonization to Nation-State. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6437-3_11
van Klinken, G. (2003). Ethnicity in Indonesia. In C. Mackerras (Ed.), Ethnicity in Asia (pp. 64-87). Routledge Curzon.
Warganegara, A., & Waley, P. (2021). The political legacies of transmigration and the dynamics of ethnic politics: a case study from Lampung, Indonesia. Asian Ethnicity, 23(4), 676–696. https://doi.org/10.1080/14631369.2021.1889356
Warren, C. (1993). Adat and dinas: Balinese Communities in the Indonesian State. Oxford University Press.
Winanti, N. P. (2021). Pasraman Sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Mutu Pendidikan Berbasis Budaya Dan Spiritual. Jurnal Penelitian Agama Hindu, 5(2), 106–114. https://doi.org/10.37329/jpah.v5i2.1277
Yanti, F., Anggrainy, S., Amaliah, E., & Istiani, A. N. (2023). Strengthening Local Culture as a Communication Strategy to Build Social Harmonization in Lampung Province. KnE Social Sciences, pp. 261-272. https://10.18502/kss.v8i16.14047
Yudarta, I. G., Beratha, N. L. S., & Sudirga, I. K. (2025). Actualization of the Spirit of Nationhood in Karawitan Musical Compositions by Balinese Maestro I Wayan Beratha. Jurnal Kajian Bali (Journal of Bali Studies), 15(1), (pp. 314-344). https://doi.org/10.24843/JKB.2025.v15.i01.p12.
