SOCIAL REPRODUCTION SPACE AND PUBLIC SPACE AS THE FOUNDATION OF SPATIAL ACCULTURATION IN THE TRANSMIGRATION AREA OF SORONG REGENCY

Abstract

This study is grounded in the socio-cultural dynamics of the Aimas Transmigration Area in Sorong Regency, a space of encounter between Javanese transmigrant communities and indigenous Papuan communities. The interaction between these groups produces a phenomenon of spatial acculturation that is essential to examine in order to understand how space contributes to the construction of social integration. This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach with a case study design, utilizing field observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation across two main spatial categories: spaces of social reproduction (residential areas and schools) and public spaces (markets and town squares). The findings reveal that spaces of social reproduction function as arenas for the internalization of cultural values through domestic and educational activities that cultivate togetherness, tolerance, and mutual cooperation. Meanwhile, public spaces serve as arenas for the externalization of culture, facilitating social negotiation and the open exchange of cultural symbols through economic activities and communal celebrations. These two types of spaces form an interconnected social system in which the values nurtured in spaces of social reproduction are re-expressed in public spaces, creating a continuous cycle of acculturation. In conclusion, spatial acculturation in Aimas is an integrative process emerging from everyday social practices, positioning space as a foundation for the creation of harmony and a shared multicultural identity.