An institutional analysis of sasi laut in Maluku, Indonesia



In 1979, the traditional government structure was replaced by the formal structure as prescribed
by the district government. The traditional
saniri negeri members were placed in the new
village council LSD (
Lembaga Social Desa) which became the LMD in 1980. The members of the
traditional village council have always been descendants from the Taihutu, Noija, and Siahaya
clans (Table 13.1). The Noija clan is the clan of the
kepala adat. The Siahaya clan traditionally
safeguards village security; they are the
kewang clan. The Taihutu clan delivers the tuan negeri.
These clans are still highly respected in the village.

Table 13.1. Principal village clans.

Leader

Name of the soa (clan)

Noija
Taihutu
Siahaya
Bebas

soa Nusahuhu

soa Pake

soa Sourissa

Pendatang

- 5 other margas
- other margas
- for outsiders

The new election system did not change the ruling authorities. The LMD members are chosen
through the
adat laws, so that the village representatives still represent particular families.
Presently, the LMD consists entirely of members of
adat clans. Theoretically, the new election
system would enable more villagers to be involved in village governance, but as of today, the
common villagers are represented through their clan leaders.

What was adopted from the new government structure was the procedure to choose the village
head who was no longer appointed by the traditional village elders. Domingus Noija, the
current village head, is from the Noija clan and has a traditionally legitimate position (Table
13.2). He was elected, but with a minimum required number of votes. As a result, he faces a
large opposition party in the village where the political situation is extremely unstable.

In his function as kepala adat, Noija carries out the adat rituals as far as they still exist (e.g.,
arrange the
Tomanusa which is the dowry paid when a man from another village marries someone
from Hulaliu). The
kepala adat also has a hand in the design of village regulations, and this
explains why the arrangements surrounding the revitalization of
sasi are carried out by Noija.

Table 13.2.

Village heads in Hulaliu

1996-now
1993-1996

Domingus Noija

Interim government
(Nelis Noija)

1985-1993
1979-1983
1971-1979
1969-1971
1958-1969

1954-1958
1949-1952

Hans Maurits Taihutu
Nataniel Taihutu
Interim government
Frits A. Matulessy
Interim government
Semuel Laisina
Rosalia M. Laisina

Desa Hulaliu, Haruku Island 163



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