| dc.description.abstract | Many Balinese Hindus have migrated to East Kalimantan for official assignments, as part of
transmigration programs, and for advancing economic opportunities, thus initiating a
domestic Balinese diaspora. This diaspora maintains its identities and practices, as in Bali,
and seeks to replicate Balinese symbols and practices when connecting with other Hindu
communities from different cultures and traditions. This article sheds light on “Bali-centrism”
and “quasi-exclusiveness” when the Balinese diaspora interacts with non-Balinese Hindus
within East Kalimantan. The authors argue that Bali-centrism and Balinization might alienate
and socially exclude non-Balinese Hindus from mainstream Hindu development. To cope with the grief of losing Hindu ‘friends’ from another tradition, a mindset shift is required.
Furthermore, with the relocation of the Indonesian capital city from Jakarta to Nusantara, the
influx of various ethnic and religious groups, including Hindu adherents, would be
unavoidable, although admittedly it is impossible to know at this juncture about the eventual
admixture of administration, commerce and culture that the city would comprise. The authors
propose a “salad bowl” concept to build Hindu communities in a multicultural state with its
new capital city. To augment understanding of the multiplicity of components and attributes
influencing a diasporic community, the authors have drawn from applicable, non-religious
diasporic experiences as well as from the historical manoeuvring of different religious groups
globally; this knowledge may help researchers and community development practitioners
understand the prevalence of bonding issues and interaction by sects within all religions. | en_US |
