The Role of Timorese Women in Food Management

Dhanang Puspita

doi:10.15294/komunitas.v9i2.10023

Abstract

Timorese people have made gender segregation for several things such as; sex, traditional house and job. Timorese women are identical to round houses (ume kbubu), where inside the house, the women spend their time and activities. Timorese women play an important role in ume kbubu, one of which is the management of food. The purpose of this research is to investigate the role of Timorese women in food management. This research was conducted in Binaus Village, Molo Tengah District, South Central Timor Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province. This research employed qualitative descriptive method from observation and interview. Timorese entitlement receives rights and responsibilities related to food management. They will arrange all streams of incoming and outgoing food. The conclusion of this research is that Timorese women have full control over family food management.

Highlights

The life of Indonesian society has always been dominated by the life of Javanese society
The construction of role between men and women is shaped due to Government of Indonesia which mostly uses the values of Javanese community and values of Islam
Within physical term, women are associated with the food and dietary (Allen & Sachs 2007; Kimura et al 2009; Ibnouf 2009)

Summary

Introduction

The life of Indonesian society has always been dominated by the life of Javanese society. The construction of role between men and women is shaped due to Government of Indonesia which mostly uses the values of Javanese community and values of Islam. Women must be loyal to her husband and is expected to be the ideal housewife and mother (Ida 2001). The public expectation of mothers who become the ideal household figure is not reaching the food management affairs within a family. The concept of an ideal mother becomes visible when it is associated with the mother›s role within the food system including the material, social, and physical sectors. Within physical term, women are associated with the food and dietary (Allen & Sachs 2007; Kimura et al 2009; Ibnouf 2009)

Objectives

Conclusion