Bargaining for the Good Fate: An Ethnography of the Social Mobility of Madurese Migrant Traders in Jakarta

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This article explores the experiences of migrant traders who own a network of small grocery stalls in Jakarta. Warung Madura refers to the small grocery stalls owned by migrant traders from Madura Island that are currently mushrooming in Jakarta. Through an ethnographic approach, this article provides a detailed description of the journey of migrant traders in developing the Warung Madura business. We conducted four months of field research and conducted in-depth interviews with 16 Warung Madura owners in Jakarta. The experiences of Madurese migrants in establishing their businesses in the overseas land demonstrate their aspirations for vertical social mobility. Despite the challenges and constraints faced, the owners of Warung Madurain this study can be said to be quite successful in building their businesses. The ups and downs of the journey of building the Warung Madura network can be analyzed sociologically through the lens of social capital and social mobility as their strategic efforts in navigating social structures that often function as constraints and opportunities. This article offers an in-depth ethnographic exploration of the strategic steps taken by Madurese migrant traders in building socio-economic independence through the Warung Madura network amidst the limitations of their new environment in Jakarta.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1730-1744
JournalInnovative: Journal Of Social Science Research
Volume4
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Mar 2024

Keywords

  • Warung Madura
  • Social Capital
  • Migrant Traders
  • Social Mobility
  • Ethnography

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