Balinese Diaspora Meets Non-Balinese Hindus in East Kalimantan: Bali-Centric, Quasi Exclusiveness, and Salad Bowl

Abstract

A considerable number of Balinese Hindus migrated to East Kalimantan for various reasons, such as official assignments, joining transmigration programs, and advancing job and economic opportunities, resulting in the later establishment of the so-called Balinese diaspora. This diaspora maintains its identities and practices, adat traditions and religious activities like in Bali, and attempts to replicate Balinese symbols and practices when connecting with other Hindu communities with different cultures and traditions. This article sheds light on the phenomenon of Bali-centric and quasi exclusiveness when the Balinese diaspora meets and interacts with non-Balinese Hindus residing across East Kalimantan, like Javanese Hindus, Dayak Paser Hindus, and Buginese Hindus. This article argues that Bali-centric and Balinization would alienate and socially exclude non-Balinese Hindus from a mainstream Hindu development. To cope with the grief of losing Hindu ‘friends’ from another culture and/or tradition, a mindset shift is required. Furthermore, with the relocation of the Indonesian capital city from Jakarta to East Kalimantan, the influx of various ethnic and religious groups, including Hindu communities, would be unavoidable. This work proposes to employ a “Salad Bowl” concept to build Hindu communities in a multicultural state with its new capital city named Nusantara.