Perantau
NOUN, ADJECTIVE
An Indonesian term used to describe someone who has left their hometown or country to live or work in another place, usually in search of better opportunities.
We often use it with a sense of pride, considering it a journey in exploring new horizons.
Perantau culture was deeply associated with the ethnic Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, a culture that encouraged the accruement of wealth, knowledge, and life experience by going abroad.
This practice is now the spiritual backbone of contemporary overseas Indonesians and the Indonesian diaspora.
Read our breakdown on the history of the perantau, what it means for the Indonesian diaspora, and more.
Latest on The Perantau Podcast
-
Episode 9: Playwriting and Reconnecting Indonesian Roots with Victoria Winata
Playwriting and drama can be a powerful tool for exploring migrant identities, sharing their stories and cultures. Through understanding and awareness, one can reconnect with their roots and continuously explore who they are, both for themselves and what they may represent. Victoria Winata is a playwright and…
-
Episode 8: Melbourne’s Indonesian Diaspora with Kuncoro Giri Waseso, Consul General for the Republic of Indonesia in Melbourne
Around 20,000 Indonesians call Melbourne home, ABS data shows. With a predominantly younger group of diaspora, Melbourne, and Victoria more broadly, becomes a melting pot of Indonesians past and present, old and new. This comes at a time when Indonesia and Australia continue to strengthen bilateral ties…
-
Episode 7: PR & Journalism across Australia and Indonesia with Raffa Athallah
It’s not easy working in journalism, advertising, or PR if you don’t understand the audience – especially if you’re a foreigner. How can you talk to people if you can’t relate? Although for some, that might be their greatest asset. Raffa Athallah joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The…
What’s new?
-
How Indonesian horror connects the diaspora through nostalgia and identity
Indonesian horror stories do more than just scare – they weave together folklore, cultural identity, and history, offering a window into societal issues like trauma social inequalities. For Indonesian diaspora, these tales evoke nostalgia and serve as a powerful link to their roots, growing together as Indonesians take the world stage.
-
The Perantau attends the Melbourne-Bandung Emerging Leaders Roundtable Discussion
Billy Adison Aditijanto, Founder of The Perantau, highlighted the crucial need for continuous engagement with the Indonesian diaspora to enhance people-to-people connections, addressing attendees at the Melbourne-Bandung Emerging Leaders Roundtable Discussion on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. “The fact we have highly active members of the Indonesian diaspora here in the room underlines commitment from both
-
Indonesia takes the top spot for Australian tourism
Indonesia has overtaken New Zealand as Australia’s top tourist destination for the first time in 50 years. ABS data shows 1.37 million trips to Indonesia as of December 2023, with 86% of travelers going for holidays, ending New Zealand’s long reign as the top choice for Australians.
-
How overseas Indonesian students uphold democracy amidst media challenges
The relationship between journalism and democracy in Indonesia is complicated. At a time where media freedom might be at a free-fall, overseas Indonesian students could again be a beacon of democracy, as they have decades ago. But this time, it’ll be thanks to social media.
Stay up-to-date on our socials
Support The Perantau
The Perantau is entirely independently run. Everything you see on the website, the podcast, and social media is built completely by yours truly – and from my pocket money.
If you like supporting grassroots initiatives and independent content creators, please consider donating to The Perantau.
Your contribution helps me to keep telling the stories of Indonesia’s perantau and to cover the website’s operational costs.
Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference and is greatly appreciated.
Salam hangat,
Billy
Make a one-time donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Donate
The Perantau 