Unpacking "Silariang" as a Symbolic Arena, Unhas Indonesian Literature Lecturer Earns Doctorate

Doctoral Program in Indonesia Literature, FIB Unhas — An Indonesian Literature lecturer from Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas), St Nursa’adah, officially earned her doctoral degree after successfully defending her dissertation in a promotion exam at the Senate Room of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Unhas on Wednesday (23/7/2025).

In her dissertation, Nursa’adah elaborated on the phenomenon of silariang (elopement) within the context of Bugis-Makassar society, where it is often considered a rigid violation of customary norms.

The dissertation, titled “The Representation of Silariang as an Arena for Symbolic Capital Struggle in Bugis-Makassar Society in Modern Indonesian Novels: A Study of Literary Anthropology,” examines how modern literature represents this phenomenon. Under the supervision of promoter Prof. Dr. Fathu Rahman, M.Hum, and co-promoters Prof. Dr. Muhammad Hasyim, M.Hum, and Dr. Dafirah, M.Hum, this research adopts a literary anthropology approach.

Nursa’adah analyzed three novels as primary data sources: Pulau by Aspar, Natisha: Persembahan Terakhir by Khrisna Pabichara, and Sajak Rindu: Lontaraq Cinta dari Sidenreng by S. Gegge Mappangewa.

Using Clifford Geertz's theory of cultural interpretation and Pierre Bourdieu's theory of arena, the research found that silariang is more than just a violation. The phenomenon is a symbolic arena involving a struggle between family honor (siri’), social status, love, and patriarchal dominance.

“Silariang is not merely a violation of customary norms, but also an ideological arena of struggle between tradition and modernity,” Nursa’adah stated in her presentation.

She explained that within these novels, it is evident how families and individuals must choose symbolic strategies to maintain their dignity and power when silariang occurs.

The implications of this research are expected to provide a basis for a wiser understanding of the practice of silariang. The goal is that this phenomenon will no longer be viewed merely as a criminal act or disgrace, but rather as a reflection of dynamic cultural values.

Credit to: FIB Unhas