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Antropologi Indonesia

Abstract

Among the Mentawai, autonomy, prosperity, and mutuality are core values that foster their egalitarian ethos. In the last few decades, they have reconfigured these values in their quest for equality with outsiders who have consistently looked down upon them. The state encourages and facilitates their pursuit by establishing a centralised village, implementing development projects, and promoting engagement in commodity production. These processes direct productive work results towards household livelihoods, legitimising wealth accumulation and sidelining sharing practices. In seeking equality with outsiders, the realisation of autonomy and productivity increasingly leads to internal inequality, which is the antithesis of their egalitarian quest and becomes an end in itself. The emergence of elites (sautek) who act as mediators between the Mentawai, outsiders, and external authorities further signals the rise of social inequality. This article suggests that pursuing autonomy and prosperity within the context of state formation is central to transforming the egalitarian ethos among an acephalous society.

References

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