Kebangsaan

Kebangsaan is a term used in Indonesian and Malay to denote a person’s nationality or belonging to a nation. Etymologically, it combines bangsa (nation or people) with the affix ke- and the suffix -an, forming a concept that describes the state or identity of being part of a nation. In everyday language, kebangsaan often conveys national identity or affiliation, sometimes overlapping with ideas of ethnicity or cultural belonging.

In formal legal contexts, kebangsaan and kewarganegaraan are related but not identical. Kewarganegaraan refers to the legal status of being a citizen, with defined rights and duties under a state, such as protection by the government and eligibility to participate in political processes. Kebangsaan, by contrast, more directly expresses a person’s national identity or sense of belonging. A person can identify with a nation (kebangsaan) while holding a particular legal citizenship (kewarganegaraan), and vice versa.

Acquisition and change of kebangsaan or kewarganegaraan are determined by national law. Citizenship is commonly acquired by birth to nationals, descent, marriage, or naturalization, depending on the country’s rules. In Indonesia, the legal framework emphasizes citizenship as a legal status, with specific provisions regarding dual citizenship, which are generally restricted for adults; children may acquire multiple nationalities but may be required to choose upon reaching a certain age. In Malay-speaking regions, national identity and the concept of kebangsaan are also central to discussions of national unity, language, and cultural policy, reflecting the broader social and political significance of belonging to a nation.