Masyarakat Adat

Indigenous peoples in Indonesia are known as Masyarakat Adat.

Who are they?

AMAN defines indigenous peoples of as a group of people who based on ancestral origin, live in a specific geographical area, have a distinct value and socio-cultural system, sovereignty over their land and natural resources and control and take care of their survival by means of customary laws and institutions.

Indigenous peoples can be identified according to the following criteria:

• A group of people sharing the same cultural identities Indigenous peoples have distinct characteristics in terms of language, spiritual values, norms, attitudes and behaviors that distinguish one social group from another
• Living area Includes land, forests, sea and other resources, which cover not only goods but also religious and sociocultural systems
• Knowledge systems Also called “traditional wisdom” or “ local wisdom”, which is not only preserved but enriched/developed in line with the needs of indigenous peoples to sustain their existence
• A common regulation and governance system Includes customary laws and institutions to regulate and govern themselves.

AMAN estimates the population of indigenous peoples in Indonesia at between 50 and 80 million. From this population, 1,163 indigenous communities in Indonesia are AMAN members.