Merantau: A Traditional Form of Outmigration and Its Patterns. Ethnographic Observations

Abstract

Merantau is a traditional form of outmigration that is widespread in Indonesia. The Minangkabau in West Sumatra are one of the most renowned societies that engage in this type of migration. In this research paper, the researcher describes his ethnographic observations in brief. Long-term research was conducted sporadically, and lasted for around two decades. It was discovered that the matrilineal kinship system is a social network that attracts people from the village to contact the kin in the city. It was also detected that the direct members of the sublineage could stay longer  with the relatives. Moreover, there have been alterations in the outmigration patterns compared to previous periods. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of people temporarily migrating in search of medical care at well-equipped institutions. In general, close relatives accompany the patients in order to show their support.