Money and Social Transformation: The Reshaping of Duan and Lolat Traditions in an Indonesian Indigenous Society

Abstract

This article examines the role of money in transforming the customary system of social relations known as Duan and Lolat in Larat, Tanimbar Islands, Indonesia. Duan and Lolat represent a kinship-based tradition that emphasizes solidarity, mutual respect, and non-economic forms of exchange between social groups. However, the growing influence of monetary logic has led to a shift in values and social practices within this indigenous system. Utilizing a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews and participant observation among customary leaders and community members, this study reveals that money now functions beyond its role as a medium of exchange—it mediates power relations, alters the meaning of traditional gift-giving, and transforms collective labor into transactional interactions. These findings highlight a structural transformation in Tanimbar society, positioned at the crossroads of modern economic pressures and efforts to preserve cultural identity. The novelty of this study lies in its interpretation of money as an agent of social transformation within a localized indigenous context. It calls for sociological inquiry to pay closer attention to the interplay between economy and culture in indigenous communities, and to conceptualize money not only as an economic instrument but also as a social symbol capable of redefining community values and relationships.