The Consistency of Customary Law in The Contemporary Era: A Study on the Tension Between Local Norms and State Legal Systems

Aras Sara Negara; Lilik Rita Lindayani

doi:10.33151/ijomss.v3i3.633

Aras Sara Negara University of 17 Agustus 1945, Samarinda
Lilik Rita Lindayani Universitas Halu Oleo

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33151/ijomss.v3i3.633

Keywords: Contemporary Era, Customary Law, Legal Pluralism, Local Norms, State Law

Abstract

Customary law is an integral part of the legal systems that live and evolve within communities, especially in regions where traditional values remain strong. However, in the contemporary era—marked by modernization, globalization, and the dominance of state law—the position of customary law faces significant challenges. This article examines the consistency of customary law in dealing with a state legal system that tends to be unifying and formalistic. Using the legal pluralism approach, this study analyzes how local norms are preserved, negotiated, or even compromised in various domains such as dispute resolution, natural resource management, and inheritance law. This qualitative research is based on document analysis, local legal practices, and case studies from several customary communities in Indonesia. The findings reveal that the tension between customary law and state law is not always antagonistic but often results in legal hybridity. This article underscores the importance of state recognition of legal diversity and the need for dialogic space between local actors and the state to create a more inclusive and just legal system.

Author Biographies

Aras Sara Negara, University of 17 Agustus 1945, Samarinda

Dept. of Law, Faculty of Law, University of 17 Agustus 1945 Samarinda

Lilik Rita Lindayani, Universitas Halu Oleo

Dept. of Indonesian Literature, Faculty of Cultural Studies

References

Anggraeni, R. (2023). Islamic law and customary law in contemporary legal pluralism in Indonesia. AHKAM: Jurnal Ilmu Syariah, 23(2), 245-268.

Benda-Beckmann, F. von. (2002). Who's afraid of legal pluralism? Journal of Legal Pluralism, 47, 37-82.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.

Christians, C. G. (2011). Ethics and politics in qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), The Sage handbook of qualitative research (4th ed., pp. 61-80). Sage Publications.

Cohen, R., & Toland, J. D. (Eds.). (2024). State formation and political legitimacy. Taylor & Francis.

Fadani, F., & Adib, M. A. A. (2024).The Harmonization of Customary, State, and Islam in the Practice of Dayak-Muslim Senganan Customary Inheritance in Sintang, Indonesia. Al-Mazaahib: Jurnal Perbandingan Hukum, 12(2), 137-164.

Giddens, A. (1984). The constitution of society: Outline of the theory of structuration. University of California Press.

Griffiths, J. (1986). What is legal pluralism? Journal of Legal Pluralism, 24, 1-55.

Hariram, N. P., Mekha, K. B., Suganthan, V., & Sudhakar, K. (2023). Sustainalism: An integrated socio-economic-environmental model to address sustainable development and sustainability. Sustainability, 15(13), 10682.

Hooker, M. B. (1975). Legal pluralism: An introduction to colonial and neo-colonial laws. Oxford University Press.

Jeong, Y. S. (2022). Two dimensions and politics of the commons. In Commons Perspectives in South Korea (pp. 234-258). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003224280-20/

Kashyap, A. R. (2023). Custom as a Dynamic Source of Law: Unveiling the Jurisprudential Significance. Issue 2 Indian JL & Legal Rsch., 5, 1.

Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage Publications.

Lukito, R. (2012). Legal pluralism in Indonesia: Bridging the unbridgeable. Routledge.

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

Ostrom, E. (1990). Governing the commons: The evolution of institutions for collective action. Cambridge University Press.

Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). Sage Publications.

Tamanaha, B. Z. (2008). Understanding legal pluralism: Past to present, local to global. Sydney Law Review, 30, 375-411.

Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). Sage Publications.https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/case-study-research-and-applications/book250150