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Up • Aceh • N-Sum • W-Sum • Bengkulu • Jambi • Riau • Banka-Billiton • S-Sum • Lampung |
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Sumatra Tribes |
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Lampung-6 Tribes |
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Komering Tribe 1.509.000 Islam |
The majority of the Komering (pronounced KO-mer-ing) people live in
the southeastern part of the island of Sumatera. They get their name
from the Komering River, upon which so much of their livelihood
depends. The Komering consist of two main groups. The Komering Ilir
live in Tanjung Lubuk District around the city of Kayu Agung in the
regency of Ogan Komering Ilir. The Komering Ulu live in Ogan
Komering Ulu Regency in the districts of Cempaka, Buay Madang,
Belitang, Simpang, Martapura, and in the municipality of Baturaja.
The Komering language has characteristics that are slightly
different from the Melayu (Malay) language cluster to which it is
related.They are closely related to the neighboring Lampung people
groups. The first language of the Komering is called Bahasa Komering,
but the national language, Bahasa Indonesia, is taught in the
schools.
The main source of livelihood for the Komering is rice farming,
using both irrigated and unirrigated methods. In addition to rice,
they also raise secondary crops of fruits and vegetables. They
usually have a few cattle, goats, chickens, ducks, and also catch
fish from the river. In several areas, they mine raw materials such
as oil, gold, nickel, diamonds, uranium, and coal. From the forests
they harvest timber, resin, and rattan.The majority of Komering
houses are located along the Komering River, so the houses are built
atop tall wooden stilts to protect against flooding. The houses are
made of wood or bamboo with tile or palm leaf roofs and consist of
one bedroom and one large family room. In the past, a Kerio (village
headman) was responsible for managing and overseeing the growth of
the village. A person known as the Kermit functioned as a town
herald, spreading the local news to each member as he walked through
the village. Kinship is usually patrilineal (tracing descent from
the father). While traditional law follows the patrilocal pattern.
This means that the wife lives with the husband's family, a
tradition that in the Komering language is called
ngalaki.Additionally, ngakuk anak marriages are also common. In this
pattern, they follow the matrilineal (tracing descent from the
mother) system and the husband lives with the wife's family (matrilocal).
Male children are considered descendants of the wife, so this
pattern is quite common if the wife's family has no male children.
Besides the teachings of Islam, which has a strong influence on
their culture, the Komering also have strong beliefs in
superstitions and spirits. They often call a dukun
(shaman/healer/occultist) to heal the sick or cast out demons. Their
effort to balance their Islamic and animistic beliefs can be seen in
the proverb: "adat bersendikan syarak dan syarak bersendikan
Kitabullah" (Tradition is centered upon canon law and canon law is
centered on Qur'an (the Islamic Holy Book). |
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Abung Tribe 737.000 Islam |
The Lampung Abung people originated in the districts of Kayu Agung
and Mesuji in Ogan Komering Ilir Regency and now are spread along
the northeastern coast of Lampung Province. They are bordered on the
north by the Tulang Bawang River, to the west by the border between
North Lampung and West Lampung districts, to the south by the Sunda
Strait, and to the east by the Jawa (Java) Sea.Although often
identified as a single "Lampung people," the Lampung cluster of
peoples consists of three main people groups: Abung, Peminggir, and
Pubian. The Lampung Abung people are known as mountain dwellers and
have a unique history as headhunters. Their language of Abung is a
branch of the Melayu (Malay) language cluster and is similar to the
Melayu Riau language.
The majority of Lampung Abung make their living as rice farmers.
After they harvest the rice, the best fields are then used to plant
pepper (ladar). These small pepper plantations are productive for
20-25 years. Pepper crops are usually sold and the money is used for
a big and expensive ritual celebration known as pesta pepadon, to
mark the beginning of the rice-planting season. The other important
source of livelihood for the Lampung Abung is fishing, especially in
the swampy areas near Tulang Bawang where rice farming is nearly
impossible.The Lampung Abung live in traditional communities known
as tiuh, in which each clan has its own permanent house. Typically,
these clan houses have only a few older members of the clan living
in them while the younger adults with children live in seasonal
settlements known as umbulan. Usually, ten clans are grouped into
one village. The leader of each clan is known as the penyimbang
(advisor). This position is inherited, being passed down to the
eldest male child. The Lampung Abung families are grouped according
to the patrilineal (tracing descent from the father) system. After
the wedding, the newlywed couple lives near the man's family.
Polygamy is allowed, but is only practiced by the rich. Marriage
between immediate family members as well as cousins is forbidden.
According to tradition, divorce is not allowed. However, if a wife
leaves her husband, the husband's family must pay a fine to the
community elders.
Currently, every Lampung Abung is theoretically a Muslim, as is
every other Lampung person. The influence of Islam can be seen in
everyday life. Religious themes with an element of Melayu culture
can be seen in a growing number of art objects. One of the art forms
is called tari tigel. This ancient war dance is accompanied by the
ritual sacrifice of a water buffalo to be eaten at a big
celebration. Besides the teachings of Islam, the Lampung Abung also
have strong beliefs in superstitions and spirits. They often call a
dukun (shaman/healer/occultist) to heal the sick or cast out demons |
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Krui Tribe 32.000 Islam |
The Lampung Krui (or Kroe) are a small sub-group who are closely
related to the Komering, a larger people group in the Lampung
cluster. The Lampung Krui and Komering are sometimes considered as
one group called the Njo people. Most of the Lampung Krui live in
and around the towns of Krui, Sanggi, and Kotajawa on the southwest
coast of Sumatera, the world's fifth largest island.Sumatera is an
island rich in natural resources, such as minerals, oil, and forest
products. However, most of the land consists of thick forests,
swamps, and volcanic mountains with many obstacles for
transportation and communication.
The land where the Lampung Krui live is flat and swampy. This type
of land is very suitable for rice farming. Most of the Lampung Krui
earn a living as farmers and small traders. Their crops are mainly
sold at local markets or shops. Their lives are difficult and their
incomes are low. Many children are forced to drop out of school to
help supplement the family income.Lampung Krui houses usually
consist of two main rooms. The first room serves as a bedroom while
the second, which is larger, is used as a place to receive guests or
for family gatherings. The walls and floor are constructed of wood
and bamboo. The roof is clay tile or woven palm leaves.The father is
the head of the family and may have more than one wife.
Nevertheless, seldom does a man have more than one wife due to
economic obligations. It is the wife's responsibility to manage the
home and the children. In addition, Lampung Krui women also work in
the rice fields.
The overwhelming majority of Lampung Krui embrace Islam, which has a
tremendous influence on their culture. Followers of Islam believe
they will be judged on their knowledge of the Qu'ran, their sacred
book, as well as what they did with their lives. Some are devoutly
religious people who say their prayers five times daily. Besides the
teachings of Islam and its strong influence on their culture, the
Krui also have strong beliefs and accompanying practices concerning
the powers of spirits. These beliefs influence various facets of
their lives. Some believe whistling in a house at night can invite
evil spirits. Also, there is the belief that traveling on your
birthday is bad luck. Many Lampung Krui wear amulets with verses
from the Qur'an (Islamic Holy Book) written on them. Belief in the
powers of dukun (shaman/healer/occultist) is still very strong. The
dukun is usually called to heal the sick or cast out evil spirits.
Because of their fear of evil spirits, the Lampung Krui try to live
good lives so as to be careful not to become the targets for the
anger of the evil spirits. |
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Peminggir Tribe 632.000 Islam |
The Lampung Peminggir (coastal Lampung) live in the province of
Lampung, the southernmost province on the island of Sumatera. The
people groups in the Lampung cluster can be classified according to
geography, language, or culture. The three geographical groupings
are the Abung, who are mountain dwellers, the Pubian, who live in
the eastern part of the province, and the Peminggir, who live along
the southern coast. The Lampung Peminggir people are divided into
four sub-goups, namely the: 1) Peminggir Melinting Rajabasa in the
area of Labuhan Meringgai and around Rajabasa Kalianda; 2) Peminggir
Teluk in the area of Telukbetung; 3) Peminggir Skala Brak in the
area of Liwa, Kenali, Pesisir Tengah, Pesisir Utara, and Pesisir
Selatan; and 4) Peminggir Semangka in the area of Cukuh Balak,
Talangpadang, Kotaagung, and Wonosobo.
The Lampung Peminggir are farmers growing labor-intensive crops such
as pepper, chocolate, and durian ("stinky" fruit with a thick, spiky
shell). The Lampung Peminggir settlement patterns vary from crowded
villages to widely spread out villages. Each village has a papanca,
which is a place to rest or meditate that may be used by all the
people.The Lampung Peminggir have two systems of community
organization, namely the Pepadun and the Saibatin. In the Saibatin
system, the leader is called the Penyimbang Sebatin, and he is given
the honorary title of Batin (King). Other members of this system are
called the children of the Sebatin. In the Pepadun, several families
from one ancestor live in one village, called a tiyuh, anek, or
pekon. The village leader (Penyimbang Tiyuh) also serves as the
leader of their traditional law and customs. Several villages may
join together to form one larger group (buay or kabuayan). This
larger group lives in an area known as a marga, mergo, or mego.
Their leader is called the Penyimbang Marga. One of their key
principles is that of Pi-il Pesenggiri, which means "guarding one's
dignity above all else." They usually live a simple life, yet they
love to receive honor or praise. They typically do not hesitate to
spend huge sums on ritual celebrations. The Lampung Peminggir use
honorific titles known as juluk. Upon marriage, men receive a title
known as Adok and for women it is Inai.
As a result of Islamic traders from the Middle East, Islam made its
way into Sumatera by the end of the thirteenth century. Islamic
influence weakened the culture, and local chiefs eventually lost
their titles and power. The Lampung Peminggir are followers of Sunni
Shafi'i Islam, which they consider stricter Islam than the Maliki,
Ambali, and Hanafi subgroups of Sunni Islam. Even so, there are
still those who believe that the power obtained at several
graveyards is sacred, like the sacred well of Pitu. They also often
place symbols, such as the cross with betel-nut chalk above the
door, window, or other entrances to the house. They believe that
this symbol can ward off evil spirits such as the kuntilanak,
especially when there is a woman advanced in her pregnancy in the
home. |
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Pubian Tribe 526.000 Islam |
The term Lampung is often applied to all those living in the Lampung
province. However, there are actually several people groups, each
with their own history and culture. The three main groups are the
Abung, Peminggir, and Pubian.The Lampung Pubian live in the regency
of Central Lampung. Their villages are scattered throughout the
lowlands to the east. For centuries they were forced to avoid the
Abung people, who forbade them to cross the border between them. Now
the Lampung Pubian have assimilated with the original inhabitants
and live in a small area within the Central Lampung district.The
daily language is Pubian, a dialect very similar to the Pesisir
dialect. During the past twenty years, the Indonesian government has
forcibly relocated three million Jawa people to the area, and as a
result of these changes, the indigenous peoples of this area are
experiencing much bitterness and unrest.
Lampung Pubian villages are permanent settlements following a
traditional community pattern. Every clan has a permanent house, but
the clan house typically houses only a few of the clan elders. Most
of the working adults and children live in seasonal housing
settlements (umbulan). Wood houses on stilts that encircle one
administrative building, known as a sesat, characterize Lampung
Pubian villages. The sesat usually is a building with one large
room, which is partitioned into several small sections for members
of various groups. A single village can be inhabited by up to 3,000
inhabitants, with about 100 clan houses. In addition, each village
has a house used specifically for traditional ceremonies. The entire
community participates in carrying out traditional ceremonies.In an
area ruled by one village, each member of the village may clear new
land. The clans own the traditional ceremony house and the
cultivated land, including the pepper plantations. Rules concerning
ownership are determined according to traditional law. A council of
elders, composed of the clan headmen, serves as the court to settle
any disputes regarding land ownership. In the interior regions of
Lampung, the Lampung Pubian cultivate a type of rice called
gogoranca, which grows in dry fields. Usually after one harvest,
pepper is planted which provides a good income for them. In
addition, the income from the pepper crop enables the Lampung Pubian
to hold a traditional celebration known as pepadon. Fishing
predominates in the swamp areas. They also raise water buffaloes,
cattle, goats, chickens, and ducks.
As a result of contact with Muslim traders, Islam entered Sumatera
near the end of the 13th century. The influence of Islam weakened
the local culture and one result was that the area headman lost his
position and power. At the present time, the majority of Lampung
Pubian are strict Sunni Shafi'i Muslims |
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Sungkai Tribe 6.900 Islam |
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Up • Aceh • N-Sum • W-Sum • Bengkulu • Jambi • Riau • Banka-Billiton • S-Sum • Lampung |
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