Jurnal Antropologi: Isu-Isu Sosial budaya
Vol 28 No 1 (2026): June

Ulayat’s Fate: Tradition, Development and Conflict in West Sumatra’s Oil Palm Plantations

Edi Indrizal (Universitas Andalas)
Ermayanti (Universitas Andalas)
Ade Irwandi (Andalas University)



Article Info

Publish Date
28 Jun 2026

Abstract

This paper describes the fate of customary land surrendered by indigenous peoples as part of the government's development programme to increase the palm oil plantation industry to support the economy and modernisation. The approach used is ethnography with a case study focus. Data were collected through interviews and observation techniques as well as literature study. informants were selected by grouping the interests of individuals and tribal groups (Ninik Mamak, Tanjung Tribe, KAN, Companies, Local Government, and Community Leaders). As a result, after the Nagari Bawan and Manggopoh communities surrendered their land to PT AMP Plantation with a mechanism that was considered in accordance with customary rules and applicable laws and regulations, it eventually led to conflict. The Ninik Mamak of Nagari Bawan was provoked into an internal conflict over who had the most authority in the land, and some Ninik Mamak used customary rules for political interests. Likewise, the community of Nagari Manggopoh, namely the Tanjung tribe, has ventured into conflict with plasma land management and maintaining the status quo as a full landowner. In addition, the Tanjung tribe experienced conflicts between fellow Ninik Mamak, who claimed that they had the most power over the control of plasma products and were entitled to personal benefits. They (the Tanjung tribe) are also in conflict with community groups, Ninik Mamak (KAN), and the company because of the lack of transparency in the provision of plasma distribution.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jantro

Publisher

Subject

Arts Humanities Social Sciences

Description

The criteria of the submitted article covers the following types of article: first, the article presents the results of an ethnographic/qualitative research in certain topic and is related with ethnic/social groups in Indonesia; second, the article is an elaborated discussion of applied and ...