Gender, Islam, and Modernization: The role of Nyai in modernized Indonesian Pesantren's web of power

This paper contributes to the discussion on how far women's participations in modernized pesantren (Islamic education institution)'s web of power. In the beginning, pesantren tradition did not involved women in its social and religious affairs, and the full authority was in the hand of Kyai (owner and leader of Pesantren). Later, it has started accepted women's role through figure of Nyai (wife or daughter of Kyai), who helped Kyai in managing pesantren's 'private' daily life and, especially, in taking care of female santri (students). The paper investigates what kind of negotiations, conducted by these women, in dealing with pesantren's patriarchal attitude so they can more participate in its 'public' and authority matters. Based on a qualitative research data, collected from fieldwork in selected pesantren around Indonesia, this paper argues that there is rise of women's involvement and authority in pesantren's web of power as an impact of modernization and changes of Indonesian social and political policies on women's empowerment.