Respected but Subordinated (A Study of Silenced Tunggu Tubang in South Sumatera)

Similar to Bundo Kanduang in West Sumatra, Tunggu Tubang in Semende community, South Sumatra is the practice to task the eldest daughter in the family take care and preserve the customary traditions. On the one hand, tunggu tubang tradition puts women in a respectable position, but on the other hand, these tunggu tubang women do not have the power to carry out their duties, which is referred to by communication studies as a silenced group. A standpoint from the communication studies needs to be developed because communication is one of the important keys in the dissemination of cultural values and norms. The research question is how the silencing process occurs among tunggu tubang. Data collection was done from a one-year long observation and intensive interviews conducted in two weeks. Resource persons were selected purposively and two rich informants were selected to support the research. The results of the research show that tunggu tubang is a muted-group because they cannot voice opinions or anxiety about their position which has actually put obligation and pressures on them. They are taught to familiarize themselves with all the losses and sacrifices they have to make related to their position. This self-habituation is silencing tunggu tuban in the process of internalization. They are taught to accept, not to protest because it will harm them socially and spiritually.