Religious Conflict Transformation through Collective Memory and the Role of Local Music

Abstract

This study departs from the writer’s interest in efforts for conflict transformation in Maluku where religious diversity has been used as an instrument to escalate the conflict between people in Maluku. In efforts for conflict transformation in Maluku, the local music functions as a way of reviving the collective memory of the Maluku people about their cultural identity as orang basudara, an identity that was formed within the cultural institution of the community, such as in the cultural ritual pela-gandong that has been practised since ancient times, as well as in the life practices of orang basudara in their daily social encounters. The collective memory of the cultural identity of the Maluku community as orang basudara encourages the transformation of situations and relationships of conflict into situations and relationships in their life as orang basudara, which means they should always protect one another, help one another, and make peace with one another to end any conflict. Therefore, the goal of this research is to present an academic explanation which shows that music has the potential to communicate the collective memory of the Maluku people in connection with their cultural identity so that it can contribute to the scenario of conflict transformation in the community. Keywords— religious conflict, transformation, collective memory, local music