Negotiated Justice: Deliberation, Custom, and Gender in Javanese Inheritance Practices

Published: 27.07.2026 Pages: 1-22
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Abstract

Fairness in the distribution of inheritance among Javanese communities has traditionally been understood through two main patterns: sepikul segendong (2:1) and dum-dum kupat (1:1). However, research on the dynamics of the concept of fairness underlying these two practices remains limited. This study aims to analyze the construction of justice in Javanese customary inheritance and its implications for gender relations. The study employs a literature review using conceptual and socio-legal approaches to examine literature on Javanese customary inheritance law, Islamic inheritance law, and theories of justice. The results indicate that the concept of justice in Javanese customary inheritance is pluralistic and contextual. Communities not only apply a 2:1 or 1:1 division but also utilize mechanisms such as lintiran, acungan, wekasan, and lifetime gifts based on deliberation, filial piety, and family needs. This flexibility indicates that justice is understood as a balance between rights, responsibilities, and family harmony, rather than merely an equal distribution of shares. However, this study also found that the deliberation process is still influenced by power dynamics and patriarchal norms, and thus does not yet fully guarantee equality for women. Therefore, inheritance deliberations need to be restructured as a more inclusive deliberative space so that they can realize substantive justice while preserving the values of harmony within Javanese society.

 

[Keadilan dalam pembagian waris masyarakat Jawa selama ini sering dipahami melalui dua pola utama, yaitu sepikul segendong (2:1) dan dum-dum kupat (1:1). Namun, penelitian mengenai dinamika konsep keadilan di balik kedua praktik tersebut masih terbatas. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis konstruksi keadilan dalam kewarisan adat Jawa serta implikasinya terhadap relasi gender. Penelitian menggunakan metode studi kepustakaan dengan pendekatan konseptual dan sosio-legal terhadap literatur mengenai hukum waris adat Jawa, hukum waris Islam, dan teori keadilan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa konsep keadilan dalam kewarisan adat Jawa bersifat plural dan kontekstual. Masyarakat tidak hanya menerapkan pembagian 2:1 atau 1:1, tetapi juga menggunakan mekanisme lintiran, acungan, wekasan, dan hibah semasa hidup berdasarkan musyawarah, darma bakti, serta kebutuhan keluarga. Fleksibilitas tersebut menunjukkan bahwa keadilan dipahami sebagai keseimbangan antara hak, tanggung jawab, dan keharmonisan keluarga, bukan sekadar kesamaan proporsi pembagian. Namun, penelitian ini juga menemukan bahwa proses musyawarah masih dipengaruhi relasi kuasa dan norma patriarki sehingga belum sepenuhnya menjamin kesetaraan posisi perempuan. Oleh karena itu, musyawarah kewarisan perlu direkonstruksi sebagai ruang deliberatif yang lebih inklusif agar mampu mewujudkan keadilan substantif sekaligus mempertahankan nilai-nilai kerukunan dalam masyarakat Jawa.]

Keywords

Javanese customary inheritance inheritance justice gender equality deliberative inheritance Islamic inheritance law

Copyright

Copyright Holder: Ayu Elsya Safitri

Copyright Year: 2026

License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

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