Authors : Ilyas Lampe, Deddy Mulyana, Atwar Badjari and Nuryah Asri Sjafirah
Abstract: This study aims at describing the construction of ethnic identities of local communities to gain economic access to oil and gas refinery development in Tiaka reef, North Morowali Regency. The communities have directly experienced negative impact of access restriction to Tiaka reef, a place where the local fisherman has so far used to go fishing. The study employed qualitative research design and was conducted in north Morowali Regency, Indonesia. The data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, documents analysis and review of related data concerning the study. The research informants were selected purposively based on their direct involvement in various company activities. This study shows that in an attempt to gain the economic access, the local group have done several efforts such as resistance, demonstrations and sabotage against the PMT’s job. Consolidation of local communities creates a social movement by highlighting their local ethnic identity associated with the topic of “communal land” or “traditional people”. The local ethnic groups are Ta’a/Ta’a Wana, Bajo, Bungku and Bugis. However, the most affected ethnic group due to the existence of the company is Bajo ethnic in Kolo District. Consequently, Bajo is not only the name of local ethnic community but also becoming a symbol of poverty, exclusion and as well as a symbol of “resistance” in local communities around Tiaka oil and gas mining.
Ilyas Lampe, Deddy Mulyana, Atwar Badjari and Nuryah Asri Sjafirah, 2017. Identity Struggling of Local Communities in Tiaka Oil and Gas Mining, North Morowali Regency, Indonesia. The Social Sciences, 12: 1966-1973.