Pola Penyebaran dan Mobilitas Sosial Nelayan Bugis Di Indonesia (Spreading Pattern and Social Mobility of Bugis Fishers in Indonesia)

Abstract

Bugis fishers spread in many parts of Indonesia, especially coastal areas. This phenomenon is interesting to be studied. Therefore, the objective of this study is to study spreading pattern and social mobility of Bugis fishers in Indonesia. This study is a qualitative study that was carried out through case studies in East Kalimantan, Jambi, Bali, and Banten provinces. Data were collected through observation as well as depth interviews. This study shows that push factors which drive the Bugis fishers to leave their place consist of socio-political as well as traditional social structure that constrain their upward vertical social mobility. Meanwhile, pull factors which attract them to come to a certain place consist of availability of natural resources, especially marine resource, and opportunities to move upward in the social structure at the new place. Migration of Bugis fishers usually initiated by some pioneers and then followed by families and relatives. One important factor that drives upward social mobility of the Bugis fishers in the new place is their work ethics. They have a strong desire to "progress" and willing to work hard to achieve that goal. In this case, their religion, namely Islam, become one important source of their hard working ethics. Nowadays, quite a number of fisher-origin Bugis have active in politics in their new place. Some of them have become member of local parliamentary (DPRD), Head of Regency (Bupati), and vice mayor (Wali Kota).