Abstract
This chapter analyzes the involvement of East Timorese displaced youths in martial arts and mystical groups in Naibonat, Indonesia, as an attempt to gain recognition within limited opportunities available in the ex-refugee community. Utilizing the concept of “tactical bricolage,” the authors argue that martial arts, rather than becoming merely an expression of violence, also can be a cultural statement for the youths to associate themselves with because it is part of the East Timorese community. In addition, it can be a signal in transnational settings of an openness between Indonesia and Timor Leste. This chapter concludes with some recommendations to comprehensively organize a durable solution for these warga baru (new citizens), not only through formal government programs but also by proper local integration platforms between “locals” and East Timorese.
I acknowledge financial support for this research from the Faculty of Cultural Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta. I also thank Dr. Lono Lastoro Simatupang for the intensive supervision. This research is funded by Faculty of Cultural Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta. I wish to extend my gratitude to Dr. Lono Lastoro Simatupang for the intensive supervision. Special thanks are also due to Henri Ismail for his assistance in data collection and constructive inputs.
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Notes
- 1.
Kelurahan is the smallest official structure equal to village in Indonesia.
- 2.
More information about the complexity of land provision for East Timorese housing in the Kupang Regency, see Kuswardono, Torry. 2014 “Penyediaan Lahan untuk Pemukiman Warga Baru di Kab. Kupang: Masalah, Tantangan dan Rekomendasi.” IRE, UN Habitat, and European Commission.
- 3.
All names are pseudonyms to protect the identity of research participants.
- 4.
People’s Consultative Assembly Decree or Tap MPR No. 5/1999 about the East Timor referendum stated that the rights of the East Timorese have to be fulfilled by the Indonesian government, but it has not been adopted to any implementable national law.
- 5.
Zeti–zeti or seven–seven (Seven) is a former clandestine group based in Dili that is believed to have magical powers by injecting themselves with a medicine that makes them invincible and invisible to enemies (Scambary 2006, 15).
- 6.
THS/THM is a martial arts group from Java thought of in Catholic churches as using Jesus Christ and Mother Mary as the spiritual patrons. Not only is the focus on moves and physical training, spiritual and moral development also is crucial part. Priests in Naibonat encourage youths to join THS/THM to prevent them from joining violent martial arts groups (interview with Priest AN, July 13, 2014).
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Masardi, R.D. (2016). “Brothers Will Be Everywhere”: Youth Involvement in Martial Arts as the East Timorese Displaced Persons Struggle for Recognition in Their Community in Naibonat, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. In: Ensor, M., Goździak, E. (eds) Children and Forced Migration. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40691-6_11
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