Penelitian dengan subjek etnisitas ini hendak menegaskan bahwa isu etnisitas merupakan subjek yang penting dan urgen dalam studi antropologi. Selain fakta merebaknya konflik antar etnis di berbagai belahan dunia, termasuk di Indonesia, namun studi-studi tentang relasi antar etnik mesti keluar dari jebakan romantisme dan atau pesimisme. Saya berargumen bahwa tiap-tiap etnis memiliki kekuatan dan kelemahannya, juga terdapat potensi transformatif dan destruktif dari struktur dan aktor di bidang keagamaan, ekonomi, pendidikan, dan sosial politik. Relasi dan interaksi antar etnis turut memperkuat rasa keterhubungan sebagai salah satu elemen utama dalam merawat integrasi sosial. Melalui studi ini saya menunjukan bahwa relasi antar etnik yang terjadi di Maluku antar etnis Bugis dan etnis Ambon turut memberi pengayaan terhadap konsep teoretik relasi etnis juga memberi kontribusi signifikan bagi kebijakan sosial budaya dalam konteks masyarakat plural.Guna memperoleh data dan informasi yang valid terkait subjek penelitian ini maka observasi partisipatif, wawancara mendalam serta life history digunakan sebagai metode pengumpulan data. Riset dilakukan di pulau Ambon ditambah penelitian singkat di Bone dan Makasar yang bertujuan mengkonfirmasi data-data dan temuan riset di Ambon. Adapun subjek penelitian mencakup aktor negara, tokoh adat dan agama, pelaku ekonomi, pendidik serta masyarakat awam. Selain itu, riset ini diperkaya pula dengan telaah pustaka, khususnya sumber-sumber sejarah dan historitas etnis Bugis dan Ambon.Penelitian ini menemukan adanya diversitas kekayaan tiap-tiap etnis dalam interaksi dan relasinya pada ruang sosial. Etnis Bugis maupun masyarakat setempat (etnis Ambon) memiliki kemampuan artikulasi dan adaptasi serta strategi untuk menjadikan perjumpaan antar-etnis itu saling menguntungkan, walau bukan berarti tanpa ketegangan dan konflik sama sekali. Penelitian ini juga menemukan fenomena melemahnya pranata budaya lokal seperti Pela, peran negara yang ambigu serta kontribusi masyarakat sipil dalam transformasi sosial. Pada tataran masyarakat bawah (grassroots) terdapat dinamika kreatif yang berperan mentransformasi relasi antar etnis sehingga turut memperkuat kohesi sosial dan rasa keterhubungan antar etnis. Selain itu, studi ini berkontribusi teoretik terhadap konsep kelenturan relasi antar etnis dan menguatnya rasa keterhubungan antar-etnis di ruang pluralitas.

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This research on ethnicity aims to highlight that the issue of ethnicity is an important and urgent subject in anthropological studies. Apart from the fact that inter-ethnic conflicts have spread in various parts of the world, including in Indonesia, studies on inter-ethnic relations need to get out of the trap of romanticism and/or pessimism. I argue that each ethnic group has its strengths and weaknesses, as well as the transformative and destructive potential of structures and actors in the religious, economic, educational, and socio-political areas. Relationships and interactions between ethnic groups also strengthen the sense of connectedness as one of the main elements in maintaining social integration. This study shows that the inter-ethnic relations that occur in Maluku between the Bugis and Ambonese ethnic groups also contribute to the enrichment of the theoretical concept of ethnic relations and also make a significant contribution to socio-cultural policies in the context of a plural society.

In order to obtain valid data and information on the subject of this study, participatory observation, in-depth interviews and life history were used as data collection methods. The research was carried out on the Ambon island, as well as a short study in Bone and Makassar aimed at confirming the data and research in Ambon. The research subjects include state actors, traditional and religious leaders, economic actors, educators, and common people. In addition, this research is also enriched with a literature review, especially historical sources and the history of the Bugis and Ambonese ethnic groups.

This study finds the diversity of wealth of each ethnic group in their interactions and relationships in social space. Ethnic Bugis and local communities (ethnic Ambon) have articulation, adaptation capabilities, and strategies to benefit inter-ethnic encounters mutually. However, that does not mean without tension and conflict at all. This research also finds the phenomenon of the weakening of local cultural institutions such as Pela, the ambiguous role of the state, and the contribution of civil society in social transformation. At the grassroots level, there are creative dynamics that play a role in transforming inter-ethnic relations to strengthen social cohesion and a sense of inter-ethnic connectedness. Through this study, I show that the interethnic relationships that occur in Maluku between the Bugis and Ambonese ethnic groups have contributed to enriching the theoretical concept of ethnic relationships and contributing significantly to socio-cultural policies in the context of a plural society.