Cities and Migrants in Southeast Asia:

A Case of Minangkabau Migrants in Jakarta

Abstract

The populations of Southeast Asian cities have grown dramatically since the turn of the century, mainly due to the inflow of migrants from the countryside. Despite the numerical importance of migrants in the populations of Southeast Asian cities, little is known about how they live in the new environment. As a conspicuous example of rural-urban migrants in Indonesia, this paper examines the lives of Minangkabau migrants in Jakarta : their migration patterns, associational activities, and relationship with their native village. It is proposed that more serious attention be paid to the study of migrants in the Southeast Asian city and how they mediate the relationship between city and village.