This study is based on held research, carried out during the period 1962-1964 in Singapore and on the island of Bawean. Aim of the study was to give a general contribution to the cultural anthropology of Southeast Asia. Particular attention was paid to the Bawean migrations (merantau) and an effort was made to analyse these migrations in the context of Bawean culture. It appeared that as a consequence of centuries-long merantau, this merantau has become a cultural ideal for the people of Bawean. Intervening factors, caused by political developments in Southeast Asia after the second world war, resulted in cutting off the Bawean from their traditional rnerantau-areas such as Singapore and Malaya,On the other hand the above-mentioned political developments stimulated the process of settlement in the country of immigration (Singapore) where the Bawean are involved in a process of assimilation with the other population groups in this city state.At the same time it is to be expected that with rising standards of living the Bawean agglomerations in Singapore (pondok) will gradually be depopulated and the Bawean will merge into the dominant Muslim population group in Singapore, the Malays.With regard to Bawean island, it was found that the migrations have had far-reaching consequences especially with respect to agriculture and the use of arable land. This has resulted in large numbers of Madurese settling on Bawean, a process that started after the second world war. They prove to be active agriculturists.