The MPR RI Cultural Seminar, themed \u2018Culture and the Identity of Tau\nSamawa\u2019, featured an in-depth discussion on how the identity of the\nSumbawa community is formed and maintained amidst changing times.\nFacilitated by the Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI Budget Committee, Johan\nRosihan, the event featured cultural expert Iqbal Sanggo and academic\nRusli Cahyadi as keynote speakers.<\/p>\n
Johan stated that the MPR RI views culture as a vital component of\nstrengthening national character. Consequently, dialogue spaces such as\ncultural seminars must be continuously provided so that local values can\nbe documented, studied scientifically, and passed down to future\ngenerations. \u201cCultural diversity is the strength of the Indonesian\nnation. The MPR RI is committed to ensuring that local values, such as\nthose held by the Tau Samawa people, continue to live and become part of\nnational character development,\u201d Johan said in a statement on Sunday\n(2\/8\/2026).<\/p>\n
In his presentation, Rusli explained that the identity of the Tau\nSamawa, or the indigenous people of the Sumbawa Tribe, is not a static\nidentity or something solely inherited by birth. Referring to\nanthropologist Peter R. Goethals\u2019 research on Rarak Village in Sumbawa,\nidentity is understood as a social process continuously built through an\nindividual\u2019s involvement in community life.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoethals\u2019 research identified at least twelve indicators showing\nthat a person truly becomes part of the community, ranging from kinship\nties, land ownership, and involvement in agriculture to religious\nactivities, as well as participation in social obligations such as\ncommunity patrols (ronda), tax payments, and involvement in customary\nlife. All these elements demonstrate that cultural identity is born from\ndaily life practices, rather than mere administrative status,\u201d he\nexplained.<\/p>\n
Rusli also highlighted the local concept of \u2018Satama Djiwa dalam\nKarang Nyenan\u2019, an expression describing someone who has \u2018infused their\nsoul\u2019 into the community. This concept suggests that acceptance as a\nmember of society is achieved through service, involvement, and social\nrecognition, meaning cultural identity is something constantly\nnegotiated within communal life.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Iqbal noted that Tau Samawa culture should not be viewed\nmerely as a relic of the past, but as a source of inspiration for\nbuilding the future. According to him, values such as mutual cooperation\n(gotong royong), respect for tradition, religiosity, and social\nsolidarity are cultural assets that must be passed to the younger\ngeneration to remain relevant in the face of globalisation challenges.\n\u201cModernisation is no reason to abandon local identity. On the contrary,\nsociety needs to use culture as a foundation for building character\nwhile strengthening regional competitiveness amidst rapid social\nchange,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n
The seminar was attended by 150 participants, including community\nleaders, academics, cultural experts, students, and cultural activists.\nIt is expected to serve as a starting point for further studies\nregarding the Tau Samawa cultural identity as part of Indonesia\u2019s\nnational cultural wealth.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mpr-ri-cultural-seminar-explores-sumbawa-cultural-identity-amidst-changing-times-1785653698", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }