BETWEEN TRADITION AND THE CAPITALISM: DIALECTICAL FORMATION OF WELL-BEING IN INDONESIAN INDIGENOUS PEOPLE COMMUNITY

Abstract

This paper aims to demonstrate the dialectical process within indigenous communities regarding their aspiration for socioeconomic well-being and the necessity of preserving their customary values. This study is based on research conducted in the Marena indigenous people community in Enrekang Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, in 2024. The findings reveal that indigenous communities often face a dilemma. On one hand, they seek to improve their standard of living through economic opportunities shaped by market systems and capitalism; on the other hand, they feel compelled to maintain their unique cultural values that form the foundation of their collective identity. This tension creates a dynamic interplay where traditional norms serve both as a moral compass and as a limitation to full integration into capitalist structures. While participation in the market economy system offers material benefits, it frequently risks eroding the social cohesion and cultural distinctiveness of the community. The research highlights that the Marena community navigates this tension through selective adaptation, combining customary practices with strategic engagement in market activities. Such a hybrid approach enables them to achieve a degree of economic improvement while safeguarding their cultural heritage. This dialectic illustrates the broader challenge faced by many indigenous groups in the globalized era, where the pursuit of well-being often intersects with the pressures of cultural preservation and the transformative forces of capitalism.