Adat and indigeneity in Indonesia

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A number of UN conventions and declarations serve as instruments of international governance aimed at promoting democracy and social justice globally. In Indonesia, these agreements have empowered communities historically oppressed and deprived of land, particularly during the New Order regime (1966-1998). By 2013, over 2,000 communities identifying as masyarakat adat or “indigenous peoples” had joined the Indigenous Peoples’ Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN). Seeking recognition and self-determination, these communities receive support from international donors and NGOs through development programs. The concept of “culture” or adat is crucial to their self-definition, allowing them to distinguish themselves based on cultural characteristics. This distinction is essential for asserting claims to the restitution of traditional rights and property, including land and natural resources, from the state. The authors of this volume explore how variously structured communities—socially, politically, and religiously—reposition themselves in relation to others, particularly the state. They utilize adat not only to achieve specific goals but also to reclaim dignity and envision a better future.