Sompa Tanah in Makassar Bugis Customary Marriages: Legal, Religious, and Cultural Perspectives

  • M. Tahir Maloko Alauddin State University of Islamic Studies, Makassar, Indonesia
  • Agus Indiyanto Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
  • Henky Fernando Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
  • Yuniar Galuh Larasati Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia

Abstract

The submission of dowry in the form of land (Sompa Tanah), as practiced by the Bugis community in Bone, reflects the flexibility of local mechanisms in addressing real-world challenges based on the ideal values of tradition. This study is important in the broader discourse on dowry, which often highlights cultural legitimacy in perpetuating violence and the subordination of women. The provision of Sompa Tanah in Bugis society serves as a cultural, legal, and religious mechanism to establish legal certainty regarding rights and obligations in marital relations. This descriptive qualitative research draws on observation and interview data, which are then analyzed contextually to understand their relevance to social management within the community. The findings indicate that Sompa Tanah functions as a legal mechanism that not only regulates rights and obligations in marriage but also provides legal certainty within the marital bond. The legal security afforded to women serves as a safeguard for their rights as wives and mothers within a patriarchal society. As a legal mechanism, Sompa Tanah ensures social order and gains customary and cultural legitimacy, which strengthens the position of women in the Bugis social structure. Additionally, marriage, as a social bond, carries the risk of divorce, which is also legally acknowledged. Consequently, this paper recommends further comparative studies to explore the practice of Sompa Tanah across different regions to gain more comprehensive and in-depth knowledge.

References

Abbas, I., Bunga, M., Salmawati, S., Puji, N. P., & Djanggih, H. (2018). Hak Penguasaan Istri terhadap Mahar Sompa Perkawinan Adat Bugis Makassar (Kajian Putusan PA Bulukumba Nomor 25/Pdt.P/2011/PABlk). Kanun Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, 20(2), 203–218. https://doi.org/10.24815/kanun.v20i2.10659.
Abdillah, M., Febriani, F., Asmita, S., & Lusiana. (2023). Transwomen and Transmen from Islamic Family Law Perspective. IAS Journal of Localities, 1(1), 67–80. https://doi.org/10.62033/iasjol.v1i1.13.
Alfarisi, M. A., Hayat, M. J., & Hakimi, A. R. (2023). Solving Pregnancy Out-of-Wedlock: ‘Dual Validity’ of Ngampang Marriage among Dayak Muslim Community in Sintang, Indonesia. JIL: Journal of Islamic Law, 4(2), 123–147. https://doi.org/10.24260/jil.v4i2.1283.
Anitha, S., Yalamarty, H., & Roy, A. (2018). Changing Nature and Emerging Patterns of Domestic Violence in Global Contexts: Dowry Abuse and the Transnational Abandonment of Wives in India. Women’s Studies International Forum, 69, 67–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2018.05.005.
Avita, N., Idris, A. R., & Oktalita, F. (2022). Integration of Tradition and Sharia: Dowry and Dui Menre in the Marriage of the Bugis Community in Bone Regency. El-Mashlahah, 12(2), 124–138. https://doi.org/10.23971/elma.v12i2.4712.
Babu, G.R., & Babu, B.V. (2011). Dowry deaths: A Neglected Public Health Issue in India. International Health, 3(1), 35–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inhe.2010.12.002.
Baynes, J., Herbohn, J., Gregorio, N., Unsworth, W., & Tremblay, É.H. (2019). Equity for Women and Marginalized Groups in Patriarchal Societies during Forest Landscape Restoration: The Controlling Influence of Tradition and Culture. Environmental Conservation, 46(3), 241–246. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892919000079
Belur, J., Tilley, N., Daruwalla, N., Kumar, M., Tiwari, V., & Osrin, D. (2014). The Social Construction of Dowry Deaths. Social Science & Medicine, 119, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.07.044.
Bravo, M. del M.P., Martínez, P.A., & Ruiz, I.J. (2014). Arranged Marriages: Women for Sale. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 132, 564–569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.04.354.
Cahyaningrum, D. (2017). Community Empowerment Based Local Wisdom in Tourism of Bajo Community, Wakatobi. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 6(11), 196–201. www.ijstr.org.
Chisamya, G., DeJaeghere, J., Kendall, N., & Khan, M.A. (2012). Gender and Education for All: Progress and Problems in Achieving Gender Equity. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(6), 743–755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2011.10.004.
Devarapalli, J. (2018). Marginal Resources and Sustainable Livelihood of Marakallu: The Role of Native Knowledge and Indigenous Technology. The Oriental Anthropologist: A Bi-Annual International Journal of the Science of Man, 18(1), 131–148. https://doi.org/10.1177/0976343020180110.
Fatirahwahidah, F., & Mansur, M. (2018). Role of Bajo Women in Wakatobi Island. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 156, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/156/1/012007.
Fauzan, Abdul Qodir Zaelani, Muzakki, M. H., Syafi’i, I., & Bustomi. (2023). Endogamous Marriage of Prophet’s Descendants on the Perspective of Sociology of Islamic Law. AL-IHKAM: Jurnal Hukum & Pranata Sosial, 18(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.19105/al-lhkam.v18i1.7132.
Ferdous, J., & Mallick, D. (2019). Norms, Practices, and Gendered Vulnerabilities in the Lower Teesta Basin, Bangladesh. Environmental Development, 31, 88–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2018.10.003.
Fernando, H., Abdullah, I., & Yusuf, M. (2021). Religion and the Pandemic Trap: Muslim Worship Post-COVID-19 in Indonesia. Culture and Religion, 22(4), 398–415. https://doi.org/10.1080/14755610.2023.2288344.
Fernando, H., Galuh Larasati, Y., & Cahyani, N. (2023). Being #wanitasalihah: Representations of salihah women on TikTok. IAS Journal of Localities, 1(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.62033/iasjol.v1i1.8.
Fernando, H., Larasati, Y.G., Abdullah, I., Afriadi, D., Marsaban, A., Nurasih, W., & Morin, L. (2023). The Dual Burden of Child Sexual Abuse: Victim Experiences and Law Implementation Gaps. Jurnal Hukum Novelty, 14(2), 154–169. https://doi.org/10.26555/novelty.v14i2.a27059.
Fernando, H., Larasati, Y.G., Abdullah, I., & Horakova, H. (2024). Leadership and the Money Politics Trap in Islamic Legal Thought: A Case Study of Indonesia as a Muslim-Majority Country. Nurani: Jurnal Kajian Syari’ah Dan Masyarakat, 24(1), 199–214. https://doi.org/10.19109/nurani.v24i1.22275.
Fernando, H., Larasati, Y.G., Qudsy, S.Z., & Santoso, T.R. (2024). Narrative of Religion: Pengalaman Kaum Muslim dalam Menjalankan Ibadah Umrah. Jurnal Kawistara, 14(1), 138–150. https://doi.org/10.22146/kawistara.82323.
Galuh Larasati, Y., Fernando, H., Jubba, H., Abdullah, I., Darus, M.R., & Iribaram, S. (2023). Past preferences Informing Future Leaders for Indonesian 2024 General Elections. Cogent Social Sciences, 9(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2229110.
Garg, S., & Singh, R. (2014). Need for Integration of Gender Equity in Family Planning Services. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 140, 147–151. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4345746/.
Gomez, A.M., Speizer, I.S., & Moracco, K.E. (2011). Linkages Between Gender Equity and Intimate Partner Violence Among Urban Brazilian Youth. Journal of Adolescent Health, 49(4), 393–399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.01.016.
Grace, K., & Eng, S. (2019). Gender Socialization Among Cambodian Parents and Teachers of Preschool Children: Transformation or Reproduction. International Journal of Early Childhood, 51(1), 93–107. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-019-00234-7.
Hidayat, M.M. (2024). The 2024 General Elections in Indonesia: Issues of Political Dynasties, Electoral Fraud, and The Emergence of A National Protest Movements. IAS Journal of Localities, 2(1), 33–51. https://doi.org/10.62033/iasjol.v2i1.51.
Imamah, F.M., Dewantri, P.A., & Lin, Y. (2024). The Role of Islam in Affecting the Transformation of Traditional Agriculture Knowledge: A Systematic Review of Dewi Sri Literature. IAS Journal of Localities, 2(2), 143–157. https://doi.org/10.62033/iasjol.v2i2.77.
Islam, M.J., Mazerolle, P., Broidy, L., & Baird, K. (2021). Exploring the Prevalence and Correlates Associated With Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy in Bangladesh. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(1–2), 663–690. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260517730029.
Iwan, Fatimah, Betawi, U., & Nasution, M. I. H. (2024). Reconceptualizing the Marriage Age Limit in Indonesia: Efforts to Strengthen Family Resilience in North Sumatra. Al-Manahij: Jurnal Kajian Hukum Islam, 161–178. https://doi.org/10.24090/mnh.v18i1.11090.
Jumarim, Ilyya Muhsin, & Muhammad Chairul Huda. (2024). The Interplay of Fiqh, Adat, and State Marriage Law: Shaping Legal Consciousness of Sasak Women. AL-IHKAM: Jurnal Hukum & Pranata Sosial, 19(1), 27–52. https://doi.org/10.19105/al-lhkam.v19i1.10522.
Kalista, V., Saka, P.A., & Sheikhi, M. (2024). Antakng as a Unit of Value in the Life of Dayak Benuaq Tonyooi Community in West Kutai. IAS Journal of Localities, 2(2), 125–142. https://doi.org/10.62033/iasjol.v2i2.73.
Kamarudin, K. (2022). The early marriage of the Tolaki Konawe community in the perspective of critical Islamic law. Ijtihad: Jurnal Wacana Hukum Islam Dan Kemanusiaan, 22(2), 255–270. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijtihad.v22i2.255-270.
Kamruzzaman, M. (2015). Dowry Related Violence Against Rural Women in Bangladesh. American Journal of Psychology and Cognitive Science, 1(4), 112–116. http://www.aiscience.org/journal/ajpcs.
Khan, S. (2024). Female Education and Marriage in Pakistan: The Role of Financial Shocks and Marital Customs. World Development, 173, 106413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2023.106413.
Laiphrakpam, M., & Aroonsrimorakot, S. (2016). Dowry in India and Bride Price in Thailand. Thai Interdiscipnary Research, 11(6), 33–39. https://doi.org/10.14456/jtir.2016.31.
Larasati, Y.G., & Abdullah, I. (2023). Social Pressure : Motif dan Alasan Anak Melakukan Aborsi. Community : Pengawas Dinamika Sosial, 9(2), 153–170. https://doi.org/10.35308/jcpds.v9i2.7719.
Lestarini, R., Herdiansyah, H., Tirtawening, T., & Pranoto, D.M. (2019). The Co-Existence of laws Regarding Domestic Violence Case Settlement: Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Journal of International Women’s Studies, 20(7), 165–179. https://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol20/iss7/11.
Liao, P.-R. (2020). Institutionalising Gender Equity on Campuses: Mapping Patriarchal Ruling Relations Surrounding the Gender Equity Education act in Taiwan. Gender and Education, 32(7), 926–943. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2019.1597023.
Lindgren, T., Prasojo, Z.H., Bugov, D.T., Riduan, I.M., & Anam, K. (2024). The Appropriation of Religiousity in the 2024 Indonesian Presidential. IAS Journal of Localities, 2(2), 96–108. https://doi.org/10.62033/iasjol.v2i2.78.
Lü, B. (2010). Bridal Dowry Land and the Economic Status of Women from Wealthy Families in the Song Dynasty. Frontiers of History in China, 5(1), 106–124. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11462-010-0005-z.
McDonald, P. (2013). Societal Foundations for Explaining Fertility: Gender Equity. Demographic Research, 28, 981–994. https://doi.org/10.4054/DemRes.2013.28.34.
Meera, T., Nandeibam, P., Slong, D., & Nabachandra, H. (2015). Burn Deaths: A Study on Female Victims in Manipur. Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine, 37(4), 971–973. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-0848.2015.00093.7.
Menezes, R.G., Nagaraja, S.B., Krishna, K., & Devadass, P.K. (2016). Deaths: Dowry Killings. In Encyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine (pp. 67–73). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-800034-2.00399-2.
Michaleas, S.N., & Sergentanis, T.N. (2019). Dowries in Greece: Dowry Contracts in Ioannina During the Early Twentieth Century. The History of the Family, 24(4), 675–706. https://doi.org/10.1080/1081602X.2019.1641129.
Mohindra, K.S. (2019). The Price of a Woman: Re-Examining the use of Financial Incentives for Women’s Health in India. Global Public Health, 14(12), 1793–1802. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2019.1629608.
Mokhtar, W.K.A.W., Dewi, S.K., Masri, M.S. bin H., Baharun, H., & Fawaid, A. (2024). Many Roads to Mecca: The Controversy of Safarwadi Cave Pilgrimage in the Local Muslims. IAS Journal of Localities, 2(2), 109–124. https://doi.org/10.62033/iasjol.v2i2.79.
Monani, D., & Gerry QC, F. (2017). Death and the Dowry System: India’s Women and Female Children at Global Risk of Gendercide Over Money. Issues in Legal Scholarship, 15(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1515/ils-2016-0251.
Monkman, K., & Hoffman, L. (2013). Girls’ Education: The Power of Policy Discourse. Theory and Research in Education, 11(1), 63–84. https://doi.org/10.1177/1477878512468384.
Montasir, L.O., Salzabil, A.Z.A., Rafiun, N.A.S., Kasih, M., & Marsaban, A. (2023). The Utilization of Medicinal Plants in Kolaka Local Community: An Ethnobotanical Study. IAS Journal of Localities, 1(2), 81–92. https://doi.org/10.62033/iasjol.v1i2.19.
Muassomah. (2023). From Global Language Use to Local Meanings: Arabic to Indonesian Absorption. IAS Journal of Localities, 1(1), 16–29. https://doi.org/10.62033/iasjol.v1i1.10.
Mujiburohman, D. A., Junarto, R., Salim, M. N., Pujiriyani, D. W., Utami, W., & Andari, D. T. W. (2023). The Issues of Land Tenure in Mixed Marriage. Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun, 11(1), 19–38. https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v11i1.818.
Mustadjar, M., & Dirawan, G.D. (2017). Gender Perspective in Bugis Makassar. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Education, Science, and Technology (ICEST 2017). https://doi.org/10.2991/icest-17.2017.18.
Nasrin, S. (2011). Crime or Custom? Indian Journal of Gender Studies, 18(1), 27–50. https://doi.org/10.1177/097152151001800102.
Nasution, H., & Muchtar, A. R. (2024). Negotiating Islamic Law: The Practice of Inheritance Distribution in Polygamous Marriages in Indonesian Islamic Courts. Al-Manahij: Jurnal Kajian Hukum Islam, 125–144. https://doi.org/10.24090/mnh.v18i1.10921.
Payne, S., & Duffy, S. (2010). Debate: Gender Equity or Gender Equality in Health? Policy & Politics, 38(1), 171–175. https://doi.org/10.1332/147084410X487688.
Primyastanto, M., Muhammad, S., Efani, A., Street, V., & Street, V. (2013). Fisheries Resources Management by Empowering the Local Wisdom in Madura Straits. 3(6), 13–21.
Rasyid, A., Jarudin, Saleh, I., & Lubis, R. F. (2024). Dynamics of Childless Marriage Through the Lens of Maqasid Al-Shari’a. Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun, 12(2), 763–786. https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v12i2.1182.
Revita, I., Gunawan, F., Trioclarise, R., & Anggreiny, N. (2019). Local Wisdom as the Media to Prevent the Activity of Violence toward Women in Minangkabau Society. Digital Press Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(2018), 53–57. https://doi.org/10.29037/digitalpress.402259.
Ropers-Huilman, R., Reinert, L.J., & Diamond, K. (2017). Gender Equity in Austrian University Contexts: Constructions of Power, Knowledge, and Response-ability in the Process of Change. In Critical Approaches to Women and Gender in Higher Education (pp. 191–213). Palgrave Macmillan US. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59285-9_9.
Salleh, A.M.M., Hulwati, H., Wira, A., Rozalinda, R., Helmalia, H., & Indriani, N. (2024). Survival Strategy of Convensional Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Based on “Toto Kromo” Values in the Digital Age. IAS Journal of Localities, 2(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.62033/iasjol.v2i1.53.
Sangha, K.K., Preece, L., Villarreal-Rosas, J., Kegamba, J.J., Paudyal, K., Warmenhoven, T., & RamaKrishnan, P.S. (2018). An Ecosystem Services Framework to Evaluate Indigenous and Local Peoples’ Connections with Nature. Ecosystem Services, 31, 111–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2018.03.017.
Santoso, D., Jafar, W. A., Nasrudin, M., Asmara, M., & Fauzan, F. (2022). Harmony of religion and culture: fiqh munākahat perspective on the Gayo marriage custom. Ijtihad: Jurnal Wacana Hukum Islam Dan Kemanusiaan, 22(2), 199–218. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijtihad.v22i2.199-218.
Santoso, T.R., Rahayu, R., & Setiana, A.R.S. (2023). Political Interest of Religious Ritual: The Sundanese Nyangku Ritual in Indonesia. IAS Journal of Localities, 1(2), 123–137. https://doi.org/10.62033/iasjol.v1i2.16.
Sekhri, S., & Storeygard, A. (2014). Dowry Deaths: Response to Weather Variability in India. Journal of Development Economics, 111, 212–223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2014.09.001.
Sistiarani, C. (2019). The Potential of Stigma and Gender related Local Wisdom to Conduct Region based HIV and AIDS Prevention. Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat, 15(1), 109–116. https://doi.org/10.15294/kemas.v15i1.12095.
Setyawan, E., Huda, M. C., Muamar, A., Sukardi, D., & Pangestu, M. F. R. (2023). Legal Age for Marriage: SDGs and Maslahah Perspectives in Legal Policy Change in Indonesia. Al-Manahij: Jurnal Kajian Hukum Islam, 183–198. https://doi.org/10.24090/mnh.v17i2.9506.
Sofiana, N. E., Huda, M., Ismah, N., Purnomo, A., & Aminuddin, L. H. (2024). Gender-Responsive Construction in Nikah-Kawin Traditions in West Java: A Qiwamah Perspective. El-Mashlahah, 14(1), 71–94. https://doi.org/10.23971/el-mashlahah.v14i1.7691.
Spies, A. (2024). Judging Gender: The Sentencing of South African Mothers Who Murder Their Children. Criminal Law Forum, 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10609-024-09485-z.
Srinivasan, S., & Bedi, A.S. (2007). Domestic Violence and Dowry: Evidence from a South Indian Village. World Development, 35(5), 857–880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2006.08.005.
Sugitanata, A., Aminah, S., Sunardi, H., & Sholikhah, S. K. (2023). Violation of Women’s Rights: The Kawin Magrib Tradition of the Sasak Muslim Community in Lombok, Indonesia. JIL: Journal of Islamic Law, 4(2), 197–217. https://doi.org/10.24260/jil.v4i2.1772.
Suminar, T. (2017). Sociocultural Aspect Indigeneous-Based Life-Long Learning as Planning Strategy of Empowering Marginal Rural Women. In Proceedings of the 3rd NFE Conference on Lifelong Learning (NFE 2016) (pp. 218-222). https://doi.org/10.2991/nfe-16.2017.57.
Syatar, A., Bakry, M., Bedong, M. A. R., Ahmad, A., & Pallawagau, B. (2023). The Development of Fatwas Based on Local Wisdom to the National Level: A Case Study of Panaik Money Fatwa. El-Mashlahah, 13(2), 133–150. https://doi.org/10.23971/el-mashlahah.v13i2.7373.
Utsany, R., Tw, A., & Khamim, K. (2022). Women’s Rights and Gender Equality: An Analysis of Jasser Auda’s Thoughts and His Contribution to Renewal of Islamic Family Law in Indonesia. JIL: Journal of Islamic Law, 3(1), 54–73. https://doi.org/10.24260/jil.v3i1.530.
Wuysang, J. M., Rohani, S., Patriani, I., & Zawawi, A. A. (2024). Viral Justice: Law Enforcement in the Social Media Era. Nurani: Jurnal Kajian Syari’ah Dan Masyarakat, 24(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.19109/nurani.v24i1.22274.
Yohana, S. (2023). Portuguese representations in the Semana Santa ritual in Larantuka. IAS Journal of Localities, 1(1), 30–40. https://doi.org/10.62033/iasjol.v1i1.9.
Yusriani, Y., & Alwi, M.K. (2018, May). Community empowerment model based on local wisdom as an effort to reduce Maternal Mortality Rate in Jeneponto Regency. In International Seminar on Public Health and Education 2018 (ISPHE 2018) (pp. 191-195). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/isphe-18.2018.44.
Zuhriah, E., Mayasari, L. D., Rahmawati, E. S., Razak, A. Q. B. A., & Sukadi, I. (2023). Dispen-ku Android-Based Application: Assisting Religious Court Judges in Deciding for Marriage Dispensation. AL-IHKAM: Jurnal Hukum & Pranata Sosial, 18(2), 519–543. https://doi.org/10.19105/al-lhkam.v18i2.8773.
Published
2024-09-30
How to Cite
MALOKO, M. Tahir et al. Sompa Tanah in Makassar Bugis Customary Marriages: Legal, Religious, and Cultural Perspectives. Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun, [S.l.], v. 12, n. 3, p. 1213-1236, sep. 2024. ISSN 2443-2067. Available at: <https://www.journal.scadindependent.org/index.php/jipeuradeun/article/view/1309>. Date accessed: 02 dec. 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v12i3.1309.