The Settlement Experiences of the Kerinchi Tribe in Malaysia: A Study on the Role of Kinship Networks
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This article examines the kinship network of the Kerinchi (Kerinci) tribe in Indonesia and their diaspora’s migration patterns to Malaysia, considering the dynamic policy landscape between the two countries. Kinship, a cornerstone of Kerinchi culture, plays a crucial role in shaping identity and maintaining social cohesion, particularly through matrilineal inheritance, migration support, and intergenerational bonds. However, migration to Malaysia, driven by economic and social factors, significantly impacts these kinship ties. Evolving policies in both countries on migration, citizenship, and foreign workers’ rights further shape the Kerinchi diaspora experience. This study employed qualitative methods, including 19 in-depth interviews with Kerinchi migrants in Malaysia and their relatives in Indonesia, and three focus group discussions (27 participants in Malaysia, 31 in Kerinci, and 11 children of migrants), conducted between 2019 and 2023. These methods provided insights into migration history, kinship support, and settlement experiences. Observations of Kerinchi migrants and analyses of relevant policies and literature are conducted to contextualise the sustainability of their kinship network in migration. The findings reveal that the kinship network plays a crucial role in facilitating and sustaining the Kerinchi tribe’s migration to Malaysia to this day. This network provides access to information, resources, contacts and employment opportunities across borders. However, the impact of this network on post-migration experiences is highly complex and varied. While kinship ties can reduce the costs and risks of migration, they can also lead to exploitation and dependency. Furthermore, evolving migration, citizenship, and foreign worker rights policies in Malaysia and Indonesia significantly shape the Kerinchi diaspora experience. These policies can both facilitate and restrict migration, having a substantial impact on the lives and livelihoods of Kerinchi migrants.
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