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Social structure The suku Engganese social structure is based on exogamous matrilineal clans (locally called suku).[22] The clans are supposed to be strictly exogamous, according to some old sources. In reality people are allowed to marry within the same clan, as long as the marriage partners do not belong to the same kelompok (subdivision of the clan) [23] , and as long as religion does not stand in the way [24]. There are five Engganese clans: Kauno, Kaitora, Kaarubi, Kaohoa, and Kaaruba. The subdivision of the clans seems to vary. Many of these kelompok, however, no longer exist. This is because people migrated to other islands and married non-Engganese, thus creating an inactive situation for the kelompok concerned. Especially when Engganese, matrilineal, women married non-Engganese men, usually patrilineal, the kelompok lost an opportunity for survival; for the children were normally incorporated in the family of the man.
Although there are now five 'original' Engganese suku, in the distant past there seems to have been only three suku. They were said to be decended from three women who were named after species of wood. The mythical story gives an explanation for the origin of the Engganese people, and at the same time explains the current social structure [25]. A sixth suku, Koomayk, was officially added in 1963, to deal with the increasing influx of immigrants from Java. Some 2600 forced labourers - or tuna karya as they are called - came to Enggano in this period. Apparently, the problem of incorporating the newcomers into Enggano social structure was dealt with by creating a new suku. Since the Engganese suku are matrilineal, the female line in the kin group determines inheritance. Land is owned by the women and inherited by their daughters, just like the old boats once used for festive occasions, and the old traditional beehive-shaped houses. | |
