The Construction of Land Meaning in Land Management Among the Makawa Indigenous Community in LUWU Regency

Abstract

Land holds a central position in indigenous communities, serving not only as an economic resource but also as a social, cultural, and spiritual entity that shapes collective identity. This study aims to analyze the construction of land meaning in land management practices among the Makawa Indigenous Community in Luwu Regency through the perspective of Berger and Luckmann’s Social Construction Theory. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed to understand the lived experiences and meanings attached to land by community members. Seven informants were purposively selected, comprising a customary leader, a community leader, two village officials, and three farmers actively involved in customary land management. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation, and analyzed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model involving data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings reveal that the meaning of land is socially constructed through three interconnected processes. Externalization occurs when customary values, ancestral knowledge, and collective experiences are expressed in everyday land management practices. These practices become objectified through customary institutions, social norms, and collective agreements governing land use. Finally, internalization takes place as these shared meanings are transmitted across generations and become embedded in individual consciousness and community identity. The study concludes that land is understood not merely as an economic asset but as a living space representing ancestral heritage, spirituality, social solidarity, and cultural continuity. These findings demonstrate that indigenous land management is sustained through an ongoing process of social construction that reinforces both cultural resilience and the continuity of customary institutions.