Bati people

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Bati people
The Bati people from East Seram wear traditional clothing.
Total population
8,000[1]
Regions with significant populations
Indonesia (East Seram Regency)
Languages
Bati (native) and Indonesian
Religion
Sunni Islam
Related ethnic groups
Alifuru

The Bati people are an ethnic group inhabiting East Seram Regency in the province of Maluku, Indonesia.[2] They speak the Bati language, an Austronesian language.[3] They are often associated with the Orang Bati [id], a local mythological creature resembling a bat-like human.[4][5]

In the book Esuriun Orang Bati (2013), it is stated that the Bati people are spread across 27 villages, especially in the Kian Darat [id] district, one of which is the Bati Kelusi. The number of Bati people recorded at that time was around 8,000 people.[1] They are classified as Alifuru people group.[6]

Religion

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Most of the Bati people are Muslims.[7] Despite this, they are still influenced by traditional beliefs passed down by their ancestors.[8]

Society and settlements

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The Bati people are divided into small communities and their customary government administration is in the form of hamlets or villages (wanuya). Bati Kelusi is said to be the initial settlement where the Bati people were formed, its location is the furthest from all other Bati settlements.[9]

From Bati Kelusi, some of its residents moved and spread out to form new clans or settlements such as Bati Rumbouw, Bati Rumoga, Bati Tabalean, Bati Kelsaur, Bati Kilwouw, Bati Sayei, and several other small settlements. Despite this, everyone still lives around the Bati Mountains.[9]

Livelihood

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The Bati people depend on the produce of their gardens and forests for their livelihoods. They make their living by hunting and gardening. Their agricultural products are mainly coconuts, sago, nutmeg, and cloves, but also chilies, tomatoes, vegetables, cassava, and sweet potatoes.[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Herin, Fransiskus P. (19 October 2017). "Perjalanan "Kompas" Menyambangi Kampung Misteri, Kampung Bati Kelusi di Pulau Seram". www.kompas.id (in Indonesian). Kompas. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  2. ^ Belseran, Christ; Dianti, Martha (3 July 2023). "Orang Bati Berjuang Jaga Hutan Adat dari Ancaman Perusahaan Migas". mongabay.co.id (in Indonesian). Mongabay. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  3. ^ Loski, Russell A.; Loski, Gail M. (1989). "The languages indigenous to Eastern Seram and adjacent islands". In Wyn D. Laidig (ed.), Maluku (Workpapers in Indonesian Languages and Cultures, Vol. 6), 103–142. Ambon: Pattimura University and Summer Institute of Linguistics.
  4. ^ Hehuwat, Dennis G. (10 August 2018). "Kesaktian Suku Bati, Suku Supranatural dari Pulau Seram". budaya-indonesia.org (in Indonesian). Perpustakaan Digital Budaya Indonesia. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  5. ^ Agung (2015). Irawan, Yulia N.; Wahid, Huda (eds.). Jejak Orang Bati: Mengungkap Misteri di Pulau Seram (in Indonesian) (1st ed.). Bandung: DAR! Mizan. ISBN 9786022428343.
  6. ^ Pattihena, Ongen (12 January 2025). "Tarian Lidi (Yesuriun Berjalan): Eksistensi dan Identitas Suku Bati". titastory.id (in Indonesian). Tita Story. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  7. ^ Nauly, Yacob (31 July 2024). Rukmana, Pudja (ed.). "Ketika Suku Bati di Seram Timur Diremehkan Pemerintah Daerah Maluku Diam Seribu Bahasa". www.suarakarya.id (in Indonesian). Suara Karya. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  8. ^ Boufakar, Ishak R. (21 April 2024). "Dari "Tanah Tabu", Jalan Lain Ke Tanah Bati". titastory.id (in Indonesian). Tita Story. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  9. ^ a b Ayal, Jimmy (9 April 2019). "Suku Bati juga menanti pesta demokrasi". www.antaranews.com (in Indonesian). Antara News. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  10. ^ Belseran, Christ (29 August 2023). Saturi, Sapariah (ed.). "Perempuan Bati Khawatir Kehadiran Perusahaan Migas". mongabay.co.id (in Indonesian). Mongabay. Retrieved 21 December 2025.

Bibliography

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