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Kritika Kultura

Abstract

This study presents an overview of the dynamics of the life of indigenous people in Papua, with the rapid changes and new social, economic, and cultural arrangements brought about by in- migration and industrialization. From the perspective of critical island studies, we analyze, in detail, the process of marginalization of the indigenous population due to industrialization and massive migrant incursions into island life. The struggle of indigenous people is seen as an impact of multifaceted processes of development and power, involving diverse social actors, from locals to development agents. Emphasis is placed on the struggles resulting from the encounters of indigenous Papuans with the incoming migrants from other parts of Indonesia, showing the profound local impact of broader political-economic processes (on regional, national, and global scales). The resulting marginalization of locals stems from a complex set of social relations and power structures, deeply connected to questions of representation. For example, the LNG (Liquefied National Gas) company/project has instituted, in the name of siding with indigenous peoples, a dichotomy between the locals and immigrants in providing job opportunities, with the former eventually becoming a key element of the new way of life offered by the company. Yet while the indigenous people were busy integrating themselves with the industrialization process, the in-migrants took over the production and service sectors of the local economy. Data assembly and analysis were based on the census, surveys, and in-depth interviews, including report-sourced data, and publications from previous census and survey analyses conducted in Teluk Bintuni Regency in 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2013.

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