An institutional analysis of sasi laut in Maluku, Indonesia

4.8.2 Women’s meetings

Apart from the above-mentioned organizations, there are no informal meetings where women can
discuss problems and/or other village-related issues. The reason is, according to our informants in
Tuhaha, that there is very little trust amongst women. Women are afraid of gossip and informal
meetings would be an opportunity for women to talk about other women in the village. As a
consequence, the women are family oriented. They would not ask their neighbor to take care of
their child for a while, or discuss family issues like alcohol abuse. Problems are discussed and, if
possible, resolved within the family. As a result, women are not united outside the family structure
and are not critically aware of political issues in the village.

4.9 Relative Distribution and Activity of Village Organizations

Among villages, there are some differences in terms of presence and activity of village organizations
(Table 4.1). These differences shed some light on the characteristics of successful local organizations.
Village organizations depend largely on the stability of the parent institution. The Protestant church of
Maluku, for example, is a stable institution because it is independent from the village government.
Continuity in leadership keeps the Pelwata and other church organizations active. In contrast, political
instability affects the functioning of government-related organizations since these are often instigated,
supervised or ruled by the village government or its kin. The PKK, for example, is always chaired by
the wife of the village head, and if his position is under stress (Haruku, Hulaliu, Hutumuri) or if the
wife is absent (Nolloth), the PKK suffers. Tuhaha has a more active PKK and this is related to the fact
that it has more support from the common village women because they get direct economic benefits.

Economic rewards are an important factor for the success of organizations set up to carry out
government programs. Savings programs (ARISAN) are widely implemented, as are the direct
aid groups (IDT and KEP). Another village organization that provides economic benefits and
also is at an arm’s length from the village government is the village cooperative or KUD. Where

Table 4.1. Presence of village organizations (and activity) in case study villages (1997-1998). *=only four
traditional representatives in Urimesing village, **=for government officials only, not for common
villagers, ***=informally organized, ****=including women’s trade group.

Village Level Socio-Political Context 45

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