pribumi

Pribumi is an Indonesian term meaning native or indigenous people of the Indonesian archipelago. It is used to refer to individuals perceived as original inhabitants of Indonesia, in contrast to groups considered migrants or descendants of migrants, who are often described as non-pribumi in public discourse. The term has political and social weight because it intersects with ethnicity, citizenship, and social policy.

Historically, pribumi gained prominence during the era of Indonesian nationalism and the struggle for independence from Dutch rule. National leaders used the concept to promote a shared Indonesian identity across the archipelago’s diverse ethnic groups, emphasizing unity of all inhabitants regardless of their specific ethnic roots. The term also emerged in post-independence debates about affirmative action and citizenship rights.

In modern politics, pribumi is sometimes invoked in discussions of equity programs, government jobs, and education opportunities, with non-pribumi used to refer to people whose families are not considered indigenous by these discourses. Because the term is not defined by a formal legal category, its meaning can vary by context and is often contested. Critics argue that reliance on pribumi/non-pribumi as a basis for policy can exclude or stigmatize certain groups, while proponents tie it to historical injustice and the need to address disparities rooted in past marginalization.

While similar notions exist in neighboring countries—such as bumiputera in Malaysia—the Indonesian pribumi is distinct in its national-cultural context and usage within Indonesia’s ongoing debates about identity, rights, and inclusion.