THE POSITION OF MINANG-CHINESE RELATIONSHIP IN THE HISTORY OF INTER-ETHNIC GROUPS RELATIONS IN PADANG, WEST SUMATRA
Abstract: Generally
studies on pribumi and Chinese relationship in Indonesia are dominated with
conflict perspectives. In fact, in practice, the relationship between the two
groups can be very dynamic. Amongst social tension arose between them, there
are often stories about social harmony, social engagement and social cohesion.
This is also what we found in the Minang-Chinese relationship in Padang, West
Sumatra. The Minang-Chinese relationship in Padang, West Sumatra, in current
period has been not only about social tension. In spite of the strong tension
arose due to differences in ethnicity and religious belief, they are strongly
tied in running local trading, political party, and other areas of public
policy making. Competition in economy often stands together with cooperation.
This similarly works in local politics, and, recently, community recovery post
2009-earthquake. Such dynamic relationships is inseparable from ethnic politics
constructed throughout Padang history in the past. This paper sees that the
relationships of Minang and Chinese are inseparable from the ethnic politics
constructed throughout Padang history. This paper tries to portray briefly the
journey of Minang and Chinese relationship in Padang and the politics that
contextualizes the making of that relationship based on literature research and
in-depth interviews. Despite its shortness, this paper is supposed to provide
background information for those interested in discussing the issue of
ethnicity in Padang and West Sumatra.
Author: Laila Kholid
Alfirdaus, Eric Hiariej, Farsijana Adeney-Risakotta
Journal Code: jpantropologigg160014
