Social change in fishing community of lamalera (perspectives of sociology, economics and ecology)

Abstract

Hunting and stabbing cetaceans and other big fishes such as manta rays and sharks has become the cultural core for fishing community of Lamalera. Changing in cultural core can occur promoted by technological change as one of driven factors. This research has purposes to analysis the persistence of hunting and stabbing activities of cetaceans and big fishes as cultural core of Lamalera’s community and the influences of marine conservation policy on the existing social system. The results show that the change of production technology in Lamalera’s community was initiated by motorization introduced by FAO. This change has created a new system of production economy in Lamalera that is trawl system which is completely different from the traditional system that is stabbing system. Simultaneously it has determined other systems in society such as distribution and exchange pattern, social institutions, religion system and norms. In addition, Lamalera’s community is also acquainted by marine conservation discourses introduced by an international NGO for conservation. Both external factors have deteriorated the traditional economic management of Lamalera’s community which was initially based on the cultural core. Eventually these changes create polarization and new social classes in the community and eliminate social assurance for poor people, elders, widows and orphans.