Spontaneous and planned movement among the Makianese of eastern Indonesia ( migration).

Abstract

On Makian, a small volcanic island in north Moluccas, eastern Indonesia, land resources are severely limited. Consequently the Makianese, whose economy has always been based on agriculture, have had to look to other places to meet their basic needs and thus have a long tradition of circular movement to islands throughout the northern Moluccas. This mobility is the basis of Makianese identity. In 1975 the Indonesian government launched a resettlement scheme aimed at gradually transferring residents from Makian to a transmigration area on the island of Halmahera, where socioeconomc conditions are better. Although it has been planned for their benefit, the Makianese are attempting to safeguard their traditional way of life by resisting this scheme. Suggests why this may be so by focusing on the role of Makianese history and the people's collective perception of circular mobility. -from Author