Humaniora
Vol 28, No 1 (2016)

COLONIAL POLITICS IN FORMING ETHNIC IDENTITY OF MELAYU MINANGKABAU AND BATAK IN TAPANULI

Ida Liana Tanjung (History Education Department, Faculty of Social Science, Universitas Negeri Medan)
Bambang Purwanto (History Department, Faculty of Social Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada)
Nur Aini Setyawati (History Department, Faculty of Social Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada)



Article Info

Publish Date
04 Jun 2016

Abstract

The article discusses the forming of ethnic identity among Batak and Malay people in Tapanuli during colonial period. The colonial government that desired to expand its hegemony among these ethnic groups had led them to create policies and boundaries for the groups in Tapanuli. This study uses historical method (heuristic) that begins from sources collection, sources critique,interpretation and explanation. Constructive approach is used to analyze the sources that considers ethnic identity is a result of construction process of a particular group. This article shows that in pre-colonial period it was difficult to determine ethnical boundaries in Tapanuli, particularly the Malay, Minangkabau, and Batak. However, after the Dutch government expanded its expansion to this region, the ethnical boundaries began to form and the differences among them became apparent. Ethnic segregation policy implemented by the Dutch and its support to the Batak ethnic group and the Christian obviously had formed and changed the awareness of ethnic identity among Batak and Malay people. In the early 20th century, the colonial government featured and strengthened the ethnic identity awareness in Batak community.

Copyrights © 2016






Journal Info

Abbrev

jurnal-humaniora

Publisher

Subject

Humanities

Description

Humaniora focuses on the publication of articles that transcend disciplines and appeal to a diverse readership, advancing the study of Indonesian humanities, and specifically Indonesian or Indonesia-related culture. These are articles that strengthen critical approaches, increase the quality of ...