Marginalization of Women's Identity in a Matrilineal Community: A Study of Semende Community in South Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

This paper explored the marginalization of women in the Semende community, which is claimed to be matrilineal. According to Semende custom, the eldest daughter is given the power to inherit, manage, and utilize the family’s assets of housing and agricultural land. Those women are known as the tunggu tubang. However, according to custom, Semende males are also given the authority to influence the inheritance management carried out by the appointed women. The Semende custom allows the men to “judge” and test the appointed women to see if they are unable to carry out the management of the inheritance and even gain legitimacy if they want to manage the inherited property. This custom suggests that the Semende woman’s claim to have power over the inheritance must be questioned. The customary legitimacy of men being allowed to take over the inheritance if needed also confirms that the Semende females have been lulled away from their position as inheriterse. They appear to have the power over the inheritance, but in reality, they have been marginalized in the social structure of their society. For this reason, this article tries to describe the basis for the justification for taking over authority and power from women and the implications for the inherited customs of property and the social structure of the Semende community. Keywords: inheritere; male domination; marginalization; matrilineal community; Indonesia