IJSRP, Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2015 Edition [ISSN 2250-3153]
Moh. Yamin Rumra
Abstract:
This study is an attempt to "picture" objective conditions dialectic ethnic identity in the local political arena in the district of the Kei Besar, Kei Islands. In this case, ethnic connotations caste system still applies to Kei social system. The aim is to assess the extent to which caste influence and lead to political hegemony in Southeast Maluku district, specially Kei Besar. The method used is qualitative method in the form of historical case studies. Data collection was done by using descriptive narrative. The study results showed that the caste system in Kei Besar still maintained very strong, although some people Kei themselves sometimes do not admit it, giving rise to political hegemony in the Kei islands. Political hegemony in Kei Besar is a condition in which the group Mel-mel (upscale) dominate the group Ren-ren (middle class) and Iri-ri (lower class). Leadership is due to the voluntary consent of the lower class or upper class of society to lead. Approval of the lower classes of this happened because kebehasilan upscale in instilling the ideology of the group. This resulted in the power of government to date only in controlled by Mel-mel class. Even groups Ren-ren and Iri-ri has a considerable intellectual ability, will not be used in the system of government. The point is that the right to sit as a political leader and government in the Kei islands are those from the Mel-mel caste.