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
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Episode 3: The Highs and Lows of Making a Social Impact from Abroad with Jane Vieren, Kresentia Aretha and Solar Chapter Melbourne
The things you do will always matter to someone, even if you don’t realise. Just because you’re abroad, doesn’t mean you’re helpless to what goes on back home. You can still make a difference! Jane and Aretha from Solar Chapter Melbourne join Billy Adison Aditijanto on The…
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Episode 2: Youth, Activism and Bahasa Jaksel with Yacinta Kurniasih
Youth plays an important role in celebrating and maintaining the use of Indonesian abroad but also continues to shape the way we speak and understand each other. Indonesian academic Yacinta Kurniasih joins Billy to talk about how she continues to teach Indonesian and Javanese at Monash University,…
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Episode 1: Stay News-savvy with Hirzi Putra Laksana and What Is Up, Indonesia?
What Is Up, Indonesia? Editor-in-Chief, Hirzi Putra Laksana, talks about WIUI’s role in encouraging young Indonesians to engage more with politics, especially from abroad, and how digital media has paved the way for media democratisation.
What’s new?
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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Salam hangat,
Billy
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