Prof. Mina Elfira, S.S., M.A., Ph.D. was inaugurated as Permanent Professor in the field of Regional Studies, Faculty of Humanities (FIB), Universitas Indonesia (UI), and delivered a scientific oration entitled “Minangkabau Women in Overseas: Remaining Powerful with Modified Matriarchy, Patriarchal Bargains, and Identity Flexibility” on the occasion. The inauguration was led by the Rector of UI, Prof. Ari Kuncoro, S.E., M.A., Ph.D., and took place this morning (Wednesday, 13/12), at the Convention Hall, UI Depok Campus.
According to Prof. Mina, one of the roots of Minangkabau culture is the matrilineal kinship system where lineage and inheritance pass through the female line. Minangkabau women play a significant role in Minangkabau society, namely as bearers of the lineage, owners of inheritance and Rumah Gadang, as well as determining the implementation of decisions made by men in the position of mamak (maternal uncle) or panghulu (elders).
Minangkabau is also known for its pai marantau (going abroad) activities. The massive migration activity of the Minangkabau people is a form of manifestation of their traditional values so that Minangkabau traditions are maintained. Initially, migrating was carried out by men as an activity to gain wealth and life wisdom to take home. In its development, after Minangkabau became part of Indonesia, women also participated in migrating activities through job offers or to continue their education.
These migrant women can lose their power and some of their privileges regulated in Minangkabau Customs, especially in relation to inheritance and social roles. Women as owners of Rumah Gadang can no longer use the pusako house as a residence for their extended family. They also lose the right to live communally on the land of their extended matrilineal family, and maintain relations with other members of the extended matrilineal family physically and socially.
Prof. Mina’s research revealed that migrant women use three strategies to remain empowered in overseas lands. The first strategy is to modify matrilineal values, for example through modifying the previously communal living system into individualized households. Apart from that, a mother who migrates plays the role of a baiyo friend (sharing friend/advisor) for her married daughter, for example being a financial supporter of her daughter’s new family, a “nanny” for her grandchildren, and even a “liaison” with her hometown.
The second strategy is to apply patriarchal bargains in everyday life. Islamic law and Indonesian state law have influenced Minangkabau society to implement patriarchal values which can harm women in material matters such as inheritance. However, Prof. Mina believes that the implementation of patriarchal values actually helps ease the burden on women from the demands of matrilineal customs which give women layered tasks. Women also remain central figures in the family as family financial managers, even though men are the breadwinners.
Lastly, overseas Minangkabau women practice identity flexibility in order to remain empowered in overseas lands. “The impact of Marantau Cino, namely living permanently in overseas lands, especially outside Indonesia, is the possibility of having a layered identity. Minangkabau women who migrate outside Indonesia usually try to make their identity flexible so that they can maximize the rights granted by their ‘second home/second country’,” said Prof. Mina. However, they continue to maintain their existence as members of Rumah Gadang through moral and financial contributions.
Study by Prof. Mina regarding Minangkabau women’s strategies for going abroad is one of the many studies that have been carried out. Several other studies that have been published include Minangkabau Mothers and Daughters In Contemporary Rantau Society: Regaining Power With Modified Matrilineal Principles and Patriarchal Rantau Norms (2023); Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn: Persistence of Patriarchal Motherhood and the Monstrous-Feminine “Odd” Nascence (2021); and The Russian language Policy: Posly Russkogo Yazyka v Mirye in Kyrgyzstan (2020).
Prof. Mina Elfira, S.S., M.A., Ph.D. is a lecturer at the FIB UI Regional Department as well as a lecturer at the FIB UI Russian Undergraduate Study Program, the FIB UI Masters in Literature Study Program, and the FIB UI Southeast Asian Studies Masters Program. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Russian Literature at the UI Faculty of Letters in 1988; Masters by Research (M.A.) in Russian Studies at The University of Melbourne, Australia in 1998; and obtained a PhD in Gender Studies at The University of Melbourne, Australia in 2010.
Currently, Prof. Mina served as editor of the Multicultural Journal, and was Chair of the FIB UI Southeast Asia Masters Study Program in 2017-2019. She has received a number of awards, including the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Prizes for Science and Technology in 2018 for the Community Service Project “Development of a Rice Drying and Milling System for the Wira Tani Group, Karawang” and the Satyalencana Karya Satya XX award from the President of the Republic of Indonesia in 2013.
The inauguration procession of professor Prof. Mina was also attended by the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Cooperation at Ganesha University, Prof. Dr. Gede Rasben Dantes, S.T., M.TI; Ganesha University Professor, Prof. Dr. Ni Komang Arie Suwastini, S.Pd., M.Hum; Professor at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, Prof. Dr. M.Arskal Salim GP, M.Ag; Professor at Padjadjaran University, Prof. Susi Dwi Harijanti, S.H., LL.M., Ph.D.; Rector of the Darul ‘Ulum Jombang Islamic Boarding School University, Dr. dr. H.M. Zulfikar As’ad; and Founder of the Law Office of Dr. Hendy Herlijanto & Partners, Dr. Hendy Herijanto Oejoen, S.H., M.H.
