How Does Climate Affect Social and Cultural Diversity in Indonesia? This is the Aspect Affected by Climate

YOGYAKARTA - It is undeniable that climate and weather do have a very large impact on society and culture, especially in Indonesia. Climate, which is part of the universe, is responded to very differently by people who still hold on to animism and dynamism. So, how does climate affect the diversity of social culture in Indonesia?

In the article entitled Anthropology and the Question of Climate Change: A Critical Perspective of Political Ecology written by Suraya A.Afiff (Journal of Anthropology: 2022), it is explained that in the science of anthropology, there are various perspectives used to analyze the relationship between climate and tradition.

For example, cultural ecology (Cultural Ecology) developed by Julian Steward in the 1950s. In this perspective, it is said that the interaction between humans and the environment is one way they respond and adapt to nature. From these human interactions, habits are born that build cultural diversity.

Indonesia as a country inhabited by many tribes certainly has a culture influenced by climate. This means that the influence of climate on the diversity of social culture in Indonesia is very large and even significant. The influence of climate is responded by the community by adjusting itself so that it can survive.

Climate also has an influence on almost all aspects of life. Some aspects that are influenced by climate are as follows.

People in Indonesia still rely heavily on agriculture as a sector to support their daily needs. In its implementation, the community has a tradition that is associated between their climate and their tradition in farming. For example, farmers in Indonesia will calculate the time to plant rice by matching it with the calculation of the date, where the calculation of the date is related to the schedule of the season that will change.

The shape of traditional houses built by indigenous people is also based on climate references. This is one way for Indonesian people to adapt to temperature and rainfall. For example, stilt houses are made higher than the ground to anticipate flooding.

Migration is one of the habits of some indigenous people. This activity is certainly based on changing climate changes. For example, coastal communities who are fishermen will move to find other locations as a place to live when their village areas are threatened by erosion or rising sea levels.

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Religious and spiritual traditions in Indonesia are also closely related to climate. Many Indonesians associate climate with gods or ancestral spirits. For example, the sea donation tradition is carried out by throwing away the produce that is the source of people's livelihoods. This tradition symbolizes the people's gratitude for the protection of the sea guards to fishermen from stable sea waves and abundant catches.

That's how climate influences social and cultural diversity in Indonesia. Visit VOI.id for other interesting information.