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| Palm Oil Farmers in Jangkang celebrate as they bring their harvest to the CPO Processing Factory. The remarkable economic progress in Jangkang Village is evident from the rapid growth of the palm oil industry. Documentation: Author. |
The Dayak Research Center (DRC) - Sanggau, West Kalimantan: Jangkang Village, located in the Jangkang Subdistrict of Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan, has been undergoing significant social and economic changes in recent years.
The rapid economic growth fueled by the independent palm oil boom over the last five years has sparked a new phenomenon known as Pre-Capitalism. This phenomenon, marked by the emergence of capitalist elements in a previously communal society, is beginning to reshape the social and economic fabric of the village.
According to ongoing research by Masri Sareb Putra, M.A., a researcher in Dayak culture, the changes in Jangkang Village are closely linked to a population surge that now exceeds one thousand people.
“The growing population has exacerbated the shift in social patterns. What was once rooted in togetherness and mutual aid is now leaning more toward individualism,” Masri said in an interview with the research team.
Impact of the Independent Palm Oil Boom
The remarkable economic progress in Jangkang Village is evident from the rapid growth of the palm oil industry. Palm oil plantations have become the primary source of income for many villagers, but this shift is also bringing about changes in their way of life. Many individuals, who once relied on traditional farming, are now turning to palm oil cultivation as their main economic activity, which in turn encourages them to focus more on personal profits.
“With the increasing reliance on palm oil plantations, people are shifting toward achieving personal economic gains, rather than sharing resources with the community as they used to,” said Masri.
Pre-Capitalism: The Emergence of Early Capitalism
This phenomenon can be understood as a form of Pre-Capitalism, where capitalist characteristics such as competition and a focus on personal profit are starting to emerge in a society that was previously more communal. While it has not yet fully transformed into a market-driven capitalist system, the changes are already apparent in the social and economic dynamics of Jangkang Village.
Masri explained, “Pre-Capitalism in this village is evident from the rising competition among residents in managing palm oil plantations. The increasing scarcity of resources and the growing population competing for land have led to social friction, which was not as prominent before.”
Loss of Communal Solidarity
However, the more significant impact of this economic development is the erosion of the communal solidarity that has long been a hallmark of Dayak society. Based on field observations, the values of mutual cooperation and solidarity that once tightly bound the community are starting to fade, replaced by a growing sense of individualism.
“The solidarity that once existed, where everyone helped each other manage land or utilize shared natural resources, is now diminishing. Many villagers are more focused on their individual profits from palm oil cultivation, rather than pongiruh -- working together,” said one of the local community leaders interviewed.
As the economic focus shifts more toward personal gains, many residents are now managing their land individually, without considering the broader community interests. This shift is leading to a significant change in social interactions within the village.
Challenges for the Community and Government
These changes not only affect social relationships but also pose new challenges for the village government and the community. The pressing question now is how to maintain a balance between economic progress and the preservation of social values that foster communal solidarity.
In this context, the research being conducted by Masri and his colleagues aims to provide deeper insights into the impact of the independent palm oil boom on the village's community. The findings are expected to serve as valuable input for future village development policies that are sustainable and consider both economic and social aspects.
“Jangkang Village is at a crossroads. On one hand, economic growth is bringing prosperity to many people. On the other hand, these changes have altered a way of life that was once based on togetherness. We hope this research can help inform policies that wisely harness economic potential without sacrificing social values,” Masri concluded.
Thus, Jangkang Village stands at a crossroads between economic progress, which promises material welfare, and the threat to the communal solidarity that has been the foundation of their culture for generations.
-- Rangkaya Bada
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