The Meaning of a Dowry for Biakraja Ampat People (A Cultural Anthropological Study)

Abstract

Raja Ampat’s customary law of marriage often creates pros and cons as well as conflicts for families and married couples. This study aims to determine the true meaning of the gift of a dowry for the Biak Raja Ampat people. The research method used a qualitative approach with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews and participant observations.The results showed that there has been a shift in the meaning of the gift (property) of the dowry for the Raja Ampat Biak people. This shift in the value of the dowry also has an effect on the welfare of the family. Along with the development of the era, the meaning of the customary law of marriage has begun to be abandoned and commercialized which has money for unstructured purposes and it causes social and psychological problems. In fact, the meaning of a dowry is not only for material purposes but also for moral, spiritual, social, and cultural aspects which must be preserved as a cultural heritage.