Ethnic And Religious Identity In Multiethnic School

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to uncover the building of students' ethnic and religious identities in schools, as well as the construction of students' intercultural awareness in their interactions with the heterogeneous social environment. The study was carried out in the State Junior High School (SJHS) 1 Palolo in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The school selection reflects the ethnic dynamics in the Palolo ethnic population. Palolo District is made up of immigrants and native ethnicities. Local ethnicities include Kaili, Da'a Kaili, Lindu, and Kulawi, while immigrants include Seko, Toraja, Manadonese, Bugis, Javanese, and Balinese. Palolo's religious majority is Christian (Army of Salvation), followed by Islam, Catholicism, and Hinduism. This research examines junior high school students' intercultural awareness in their relationships with peers of different nationalities and religions. The snowball approach was used to choose informants from among teachers, parents, and pupils. They were asked about their contacts with acquaintances of all nationalities and beliefs. Data from selected study approaches was collected and evaluated inductively to derive meaning from the existing natural conditions. Idiographic interpretation is used in the data interpretation process. The findings revealed that: (1) each responder utilizes a sign of their particular faith to demonstrate their identity, such as a Muslim wearing a headscarf and a Christian wearing a cross necklace; and (2) there is an interchange of verbal communication between religions. As a result, it is possible to conclude that multicultural awareness at Palolo 1 Junior High School is currently functioning well, and that the situation should be maintained through quality improvement.