The Arabs of Surabaya : a study of sociocultural integration

Abstract

This thesis examines the Arab population in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. The main objective of the study is to present an ethnographic description of the socio cultural integration of Surabayan Arabs following their participation in political movements before and after Indonesian Independence. In particular it examines Arab participation in contemporary social organisations, and in economic activities, and analyses such factors as education , religious beliefs as well as their marriage system. This study shows that the Arabs integration is a continuing process. Their long history, from the arrival of their ancestors until nowadays, shows that the Surabayan Arabs, mostly the descendants of Hadrami Abrabs, have developed integrative relations with indigenous people. Islam, the religion of most Arabs and native people, forms the most important factor in their integration. Islam has always inspired their activities. In the past, for example, they declared that PAI (Partai Arab Indonesia, Indonesian Arab Party) was an Islamic and a national political movement. Today, Islam endows their educational institutions, and supports their participation in various social organisations. The soul of Islam also colours their economic activities. For example, they trade Islamic books, sajadah (prayer mats), Arabic calligraphy, kopiah or pici (caps) and other kinds of merchandise which facilitate the development of Islamic activities. on the other hand, because of their well-known position as an Islamic community, indigenous people also question their concept of an Islamic marriage. This study shows that, in relation to marriage, the Arab culture and tradition sometimes prove the primary consideration if conflict between culture and religious traditional arises. All factors of Arab integration are viewed within a broad anthropological and historical framework in order to show how the Surabayan Arabs have shaped their identity as part of the larger Indonesian society and developed their connection with the life-style of the people around them.