Transformation of Parents' Roles in Determining Bõwõ in Hilizihõnõ Village, Nias
Keywords:
Bõwõ, Parental Role, Transformation, Cultural ReconstructionDOI:
https://doi.org/10.59435/jgrp.v2i2.2025.78Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine how the Nias ethnic group in Hilizihõnõ Village views the evolving role of parents in deciding bõwõ (bridewealth). The study employed a qualitative approach with a descriptive design, utilizing data collection methods that included observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation of informants' responses, all of whom were purposively selected. The findings reveal that shifts in parental roles are shaped by an interplay of internal family dynamics most notably, the transition toward more dialogical communication patterns alongside external factors such as economic conditions, educational attainment, modernization, and evolving socio-religious values. This transformation is characterized by a transition from hierarchical to more egalitarian and participatory family relationships. Furthermore, the criteria for determining bõwõ (bridewealth) have shifted from a predominantly symbolic orientation toward more functional considerations, including the economic welfare of the couple and the principle of mutual agreement. Taken together, these changes reflect an ongoing process of cultural adaptation and reconstruction, through which the tradition continues to sustain its relevance and endure within an ever-evolving social environment
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