Mbojo Tribe Wives Under Pressure in Public and Domestic Work Within the Family Culture at Penapali Village, Indonesia

Abstract

Wives’ stress and depression levels were higher when all household chores and income were placed on her. 42% of the Mbojo tribe’s wives in Penapali village, Bima regency, West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, are the main breadwinners for their families. This study used ethnography of communication by examining 10 families. It was found that Pina and Paliti Palinga customs make husbands only receive works from landlords and consider helping their wives to do household chores as a taboo. Enslaving wives has resulted in high rates of domestic violence, neglect of children and wife, abortions, high rates of illiteracy at primary school age, malnutrition in children under five and other cases of poverty.