Transformasi Harta Kawin (Studi Etnografi pada Masyarakat Buru Selatan)

Abstract

This article describes the transformation of dowry giving in South Buru society, focusing on the changes in giving dowry from the groom to the bride. The background of this research is based on social, economic, and cultural changes that influence marriage customs in South Buru society, especially in the context of modernization and interaction with outside cultures. This study aims to understand the dynamics of changes in the tradition of giving dowry and the factors that influence it. This study uses a qualitative method with an ethnographic approach through data collection techniques, observation, and in-depth interviews with informants with experience and knowledge of marriage customs. The results of this study indicate that there has been a change in the practice of giving dowry. This change suggests a shift in values ​​in the marriage tradition, where economic factors and family negotiations play an increasingly important role in determining the amount of dowry, which is influenced by economic, social, and cultural factors. Recommendations to traditional leaders and the community are expected to restore the essence of dowry as a symbol of appreciation and respect according to customs in ancient times, not as a financial burden that indicates the subordination of women. To maintain the cultural values ​​of the local community, traditional leaders and the local government need to sit together and agree to form a Regional Regulation on customary law that regulates the practice of giving dowry in South Buru. Thus, the Perda can guarantee justice for both women and men in the customary marriage system of the South Buru community.