Lahat people
Jeme Lahat | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| 150,000[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Indonesia (South Sumatra) | |
| Languages | |
| South Barisan Malay (native) and Indonesian | |
| Religion | |
| Sunni Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Palembang • Ogan • Serawai | |
The Lahat people consist of the Besemah, Kikim, Lematang, and Lintang ethnic groups.[2] |
The Lahat people (South Barisan Malay: Jeme Lahat), also known as the Lahat Malays, are an ethnic group that inhabits several districts in Lahat Regency and several other areas in the province of South Sumatra, Indonesia. The Lahat people belongs to the Malay ethnic group, which includes four subgroups closely related, namely the Besemah, Kikim, Lematang, and Lintang ethnic groups.[2]
Distribution
The Lahat people mostly lives in mountainous areas or fertile hilly areas. In the west and south there is a cluster of Bukit Barisan Mountains with its highest peak Mount Dempo (3,159 meters above sea level).[3] Their residential area borders other Malay ethnic groups. Meanwhile, in the western part there are the Rejang people who are linguistically quite different from the ethnic groups around them.
Livelihood
Because they live in a fertile area, the livelihood system of the Lahat people is farming. Many of them cultivate plantation crops of hard plants, such as rubber, coffee, or cloves. They also grow rice, vegetables, and secondary crops. Some also raise fish for their livelihood. For the Lahat people who live in urban areas, they usually trade as a livelihood.[4]
Religion
The majority of Lahat people are Muslim. However, they still believe in and practice the beliefs of their ancestors. In various traditional ceremonies, they still mix Islamic rituals with beliefs in spirits. For example, by presenting offerings or reciting mantras. One of the things that is meant is the sedekah rame traditional ceremony, or traditional traditions regarding rice field management. By carrying out this tradition, the Lahat people hope that the results they plant will be satisfying and protected by the God.[3]
Language
The Lahat people speak languages belonging to the South Barisan language family, which is related to Musi languages. Among the Malay-speaking groups in South Sumatra, there is usually mutual understanding, with only minor differences.[3]
Kinship system
The Lahat people adheres to a patrilineal kinship system, or descent through the male line. Therefore, the title is passed down through the male line (father). This inherited title also applies to the position of the jurai tue.[5] The jurai tue has a very important position in the customs of the Lahat people. They are moral mentors for the people of Lahat who must always set a good example, able to be role models wherever they are.[6] The absolute condition for those holding this position is that they cannot be women. The reason is, men are considered to have leadership qualities, have the alertness to carry out duties as the jurai tue, and do not have as many limitations as compared to women. This position is a hereditary position, not through an election.
Leadership system
The Lahat people has a government system that carries out the traditions of the ethnic group. The hamlets (dusun) where the Lahat people live are led by a rie as the head of the local government, who also serves as the traditional head. In carrying out his duties as traditional leader, the rie is assisted by elders, or those considered elders (respected elders) in the hamlet. Then there's the headman (penghulu), also known as the khatib. Both of them have the task of leading matters related to religious or customary rituals.[3]
See also
References
- ^ "Suku Lahat". misi.sabda.org. MISI SABDA (in Indonesian). Yayasan Lembaga SABDA (YLSA). Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ a b Puspita, Melly (16 June 2017). "Kenali Lebih Dekat 4 Suku yang Ada di Lahat". Okezone (in Indonesian). Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d Melalatoa, Junus (1995). Ensiklopedi Suku Bangsa di Indonesia Jilid L–Z (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. pp. 438–439.
- ^ Aditya, Reza (27 January 2024). Fitriani, Ayu (ed.). "Apakah Kalian Sudah Mengenali Suku Lahat? Berikut ini Penjelasannya!". silamparitv.disway.id (in Indonesian). Silampari TV. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ "Suku Lahat". rsud.lahatkab.go.id (in Indonesian). Pemerintah Kabupaten Lahat. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ Murniatmo, Gatut; H. Nugroho, Hermawan; Dradjad, Sjamsu (2000). Khazanah Budaya Lokal: Sebuah Pengantar Untuk Memahami Kebudayaan Daerah di Nusantara (in Indonesian). Yogyakarta: Adicita. ISBN 979-9246-29-6.