BEGADISAN SOCIAL INSTITUTION IN ETHNIC GROUPS IN BENGKULU: PAST TIME AND PRESENT TIME

Abstract

Begadisan  is a social event that institutionalizes between bachelor (bujang) and maiden (gadis) in order to find a girlfriend or future wife/husband. Such activities were found in all ethnic groups in Bengkulu Province, such as Pasemah, Serawai, Lembak, and Rejang. It happened at night at the maiden’s house. This activity is based on knowledge that is socially understood together, generally applicable, and socially binding. In practice, this happened several times, consisting of standard stages, until an agreement between the two parties, single and girl, was fulfilled. Today, the social events of begadisan have indicated changes both at the practical level and at the ideological level. Based on the survey that we conducted in a number of regions, it seems that this change was caused by among others (1) the decreasing intensity of transmission and the transformation of cultural knowledge from the older generation to the younger generation, in line with the decline in social-traditional practices due to various constraints, (2) the education availability for all social strata and the social isolation as well, and communication technology that has provided 'unlimited' convenience and breadth among young people to achieve various sosial goals, (3) decreased appreciation and pride of socio-cultural konowledge and practices among the young people because of the change in cultural orientation.

Keywords: begadisan, bengkulu, social institution, social change