Up Close but Not Personal: Non-Muslim Incomer Experiences in Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia

Abstract

The research is an inquiry to understand the socio-cultural interaction between the native Yogyanese and the incomers within multiculturalism. The focus of the study is the perception of the incomers toward Yogyakarta and Yogyanese. Considering pluralistic and multicultural Yogyakarta’s society is predominantly Muslim, the research explicitly detects the perception of non-Muslim incomers (pendatang), particularly Christians. The result of the study exposes the complexity of interaction between the natives and the incomers. The mood celebrates diversity, acceptance, cordial relationship, tension, and distance. The pressure might occur through the cultural contrast of Javanese and non-Javanese and the social, cultural, religious, and political dynamics at the local and national levels. However, the dynamic is an ongoing socio-cultural negotiation that attempts to befit the best molding.