The Attachment of Matrilineal Culture to Gender Roles in Minangkabau Migrant Households

Ekawati Sri Wahyuni, Faculty of Human Ecology, Bogor Agricultural University
Latifah Husna, Bank Indonesia

The Minangkabau community adheres to a matrilineal system, and this culture is closely tied to the right to inherit and own family resources among the Minangkabau. Women have access to and utilize these resources within the family, while men oversee and maintain them. This research analyzes the relationship between implementing a matrilineal culture and gender roles in Minangkabau households in Jakarta, the primary migration destination area. The study employs the Spearman rank correlation test with 35 households surveyed from the Minangkabau Family Association in the Cakung District. Findings indicate that women in Minangkabau households in Jakarta partially own material resources but utilize and access them, while men control them. The uniqueness of Minangkabau women lies in determining each lineage following the mother. Furthermore, gender roles in Minankabaug households are similar to those in general society. The research also found dual roles for women, with reproductive tasks predominantly carried out by women compared to men.

Keywords: International Migration, Mixed methods research, Gender Dynamics, Families, Unions and Households

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