This article examines the dynamics of customary marriage practices within the framework of legal pluralism, highlighting the antaran tradition as practiced by a local community in Jambi. This tradition demonstrates a marked divergence from prevailing practices in Jambi society, as antaran is conducted after the wedding reception and applies only to couples originating from the same village, while grooms from outside the community are not subject to this obligation. The study employs perspectives of customary law and the concept of living law to understand how these local norms are formed, maintained, and institutionalized as social standards within the community. The analysis also situates the antaran custom within the framework of Islamic law through the concept of 'urf, to assess whether this practice meets the criteria of a tradition that can be recognized by Islamic jurisprudence. Furthermore, the research compares this phenomenon with cross-cultural and cross-community marriage practices found in other societies to identify broader patterns in the formation of social boundaries. The findings indicate that the antaran tradition functions not merely as part of the wedding ritual but also as an instrument of social cohesion, a means of preserving local identity, and a mechanism of social control that strengthens communal bonds. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationships among customary law, Islamic law, and national law in contemporary Indonesian society.
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