Journal of Law and Humanity Studies
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): Journal of Law and Humanity Studies

The Implementation Gap in the Legal Validity of Marriage in Indonesia: A Socio-Legal Study of Baduy Customary Marriage

RD I Mulyana Jaya Sumpena (Fakultas Hukum, Program Studi Doktor Ilmu Hukum, Universitas Trisakti, Indonesia)
Wahyuni Retnowulandari (Fakultas Hukum, Program Studi Doktor Ilmu Hukum, Universitas Trisakti, Indonesia)
Endang Pandamdari (Fakultas Hukum, Program Studi Doktor Ilmu Hukum, Universitas Trisakti, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 May 2026

Abstract

Legal pluralism in Indonesia has not yet been fully integrated into the implementation of national marriage law, particularly in relation to indigenous communities. This study examines the implementation gap between state legality and customary legitimacy within the Baduy indigenous community. Employing a qualitative socio-legal approach through literature review, normative analysis, and empirical understanding of customary practices, the study finds that the validity of marriage under national law is determined by compliance with religious requirements and administrative registration. In contrast, the Baduy community regards a marriage as valid through customary ceremonies and communal legitimacy as part of the living law. This divergence creates legal uncertainty and administrative exclusion, affecting civil registration, identity documentation, and access to public services. A comparative analysis involving the Ammatoa Kajang, Marapu, and Māori communities demonstrates that adaptive recognition mechanisms can facilitate the integration of customary law and state law. The study concludes that the Indonesian legal system remains predominantly legal-formalist and has not yet fully accommodated the realities of legal pluralism. Therefore, a more inclusive and responsive legal approach is required to integrate living law into the national legal system while ensuring equal legal protection for indigenous peoples.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jlhs

Publisher

Subject

Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

Journal of Law and Humanity Studies accommodates all studies on social dynamics and changes related or associated with law. Therefore, the study of criminal and civil law normatively (dogmatic law science), philosophically (legal philosophy), empirically (sociology and legal anthropology), and ...