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 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…
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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…
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Episode 6: How Indonesian Diaspora Stay Connected with Monika Winarnita
The Perantau Podcast – Episode 6: How Indonesian Diaspora Stay Connected with Monika Winarnita. Music by FASSounds. Free for use under the Pixabay Content License. Graphic by Billy Adison Aditijanto. Home to the largest population of active social media users in Southeast Asia and third in Asia-Pacific,…
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