GENDER NEGOTIATION IN THE BEKELEWANG TRADITION: A CASE STUDY OF WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP IN PERNEK, SUMBAWA

Abstract

Bekelewang is a communal cooking tradition in Sumbawa that places women at the center of preparing and organizing ceremonial events. Although commonly regarded as “kitchen work,” this practice carries broader social meaning and reflects the gender dynamics embedded in the community. This study explores how women interpret their involvement in Bekelewang, how gender-based division of labor operates, and how cultural values shape the legitimacy of women’s leadership in the communal kitchen. Using a descriptive qualitative case study in Pernek Village, data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, and analyzed using thematic techniques. Findings show that women view Bekelewang as an expression of solidarity (basiru) and a social obligation that strengthens community ties. Gendered division of labor remains consistent, with women managing the kitchen while men undertake physically demanding tasks. Women’s leadership emerges through the role of the nuang, who coordinates tasks, ensures food quality, and maintains collective harmony. Cultural norms, such as kinship, prosociality, and the sense of shame associated with not helping, reinforce this leadership, even as patriarchal structures limit women’s participation in formal decision-making. Thus, Bekelewang functions not only as a culinary tradition but also as a social arena where women negotiate roles and sustain their community standing.