Belalek: Feminisasi Pekerjaan dan Peran Ganda Perempuan dalam Budaya Pertanian di Desa Makrampai

Abstract

Women are often seen as human beings who have weaker physical abilities compared to men. This view implies the stigma that women are unable to do work draining stamina and physical strength. This view is contrary to the facts and reality found in the Belalek’s culture in the Malay community in the village of Makrampai. This study was aimed at analysing gender equality in Belalek’s culture in the Malay community of Makrampai village. This research was a field research with qualitative paradigm. Data were obtained through observation, interviews, and documentary studies. Data were analyzed using phenomenological method. The results revealed that there was a gender equality in the form of feminization of work and the dual role of women in Belalek’s culture in Makrampai. The gender equality was motivated by the values ​​and norms prevailing in the Makrampai village community, which provided equal opportunities to both men and women in contributing to family welfare. At this level,  women are no longer placed not only as second class people who are only able to complete domestic household affairs, but also have the ability to complete the same work as men on agriculture. Therefore,  based on these findings, it was concluded that: First, labelling of women as weak, second class, and unproductive only applies to certain communities and cannot be generalized to all women in traditional societies. At the same time, the values ​​and norms prevailing in a society affected the views on the equality of women and men in fulfilling their livelihood. Therefore, at this level, the issues of gender and feminism were locally and very strongly shaped by cultural factors. Secondly, culture within certain boundaries contributed in carrying out the division and separation of work and responsibilities between men and women as represented in Belalek’s culture in Malay community of Makrampai.