Merantau: The Worldview and Praxis of Javanese Migrants in Brunei Darussalam

Abstract

The phenomenon and experiences of Indonesians who leave their villages of origin to seek a life of improvement have been examined by local scholars in the past using the concept of merantau. In this chapter, we document the extended narratives of nine Javanese migrant workers in Brunei Darussalam from the conversations we had about their lives in Java, Indonesia and Brunei connected through the social process of migration. Every individual had a unique account of the migration story and how it relates to their experiences. However, we suggest that they share something in common. We argue that merantau is a worldview with which these young Javanese make sense of their lives and future, empower them, and help them overcome the existential condition of uncertainty and insecurity of life in densely populated Java. For them merantau is a way of life that sustains their adulthood.