Kepurusa as a Women’s Inheritance System in Bali: Dynamics of Customary, National, and Islamic Law

Izuddin Abdussalam; Ezraella Geraldine Beatricia; Sania Raisyabila  Nurinsan; Rana  Atikah; Gita  Shouniah

doi:10.22373/ujhk.v9i1.34321

Authors

Izuddin Abdussalam Univeristas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
Ezraella Geraldine Beatricia Univeristas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
Sania Raisyabila Nurinsan Univeristas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
Rana Atikah Univeristas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
Gita Shouniah Univeristas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22373/ujhk.v9i1.34321

Keywords:

Kepurusa, Women's Inheritance System, Bali, Law

Abstract

The legal system currently in force is inseparable from its long historical development. It is deeply-rooted in the spirit and identity of the nation, as well as in both Islamic law and customary law, for therein lies the true identity of Indonesian law. In Balinese customary law communities, inheritance distribution is based on a patrilineal system. Inheritance is granted to male descendants within the family, and a distinguishing feature in Balinese customary law is the principle of sentana rajeg (a daughter granted patrilineal heir status). This refers to a condition in which, when an heir has only daughters, a daughter may enter into a marriage in which the husband is incorporated into her family. This incorporation subsequently creates predana status. This study employs a normative juridical research method, analyzed through the theory of Islamic law. Data collection was conducted through library research. In the case being studied, inheritance of land was instead granted to a person who was neither part of the family bond nor held predana status. Although traditionally adhering to the Kepurusa system, developments in law and jurisprudence (e.g., Supreme Court Decision Number 1331 K/Pdt/2010) indicate that the concepts of Islamic inheritance law and Balinese customary law are alternative yet aligned, which is in accordance with the principle of justice. Another finding is the adjustment made to accommodate inheritance rights for daughters under certain criteria (e.g., not marrying outside the family, caring for parents, or based on family/customary agreements) in order to achieve the values of justice and equality.

References

Journals and Books

A. Gani, Iskandar, Romi Asmara, Sulaiman Sulaiman, and Asmaul Husna. “The Constitutional Court’s Protection and Fulfilment of the Citizens’ Rights: Constitutional and Islamic Law Perspectives.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 8, no. 1 (2024). https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v8i1.22215.

Abbas, Nurlaelah, Mahmuddin Mahmuddin, Sri Astuti A. Samad, and Munawwarah Samad. “Theological Impact of Marriage for Religious Minority Families in Bali and Makassar.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 9, no. 1 (2025). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v9i1.21130.

Abubakar, Ali, Gamal Achyar, Husnul Khatimah, and Sri Astuti A. Samad. “The Postponement of the Implementation of Inheritance Distribution in The Seunuddon Community, North Aceh In The Lens Of ‘Urf Theory and Legal Pluralism.” El-Usrah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga 6, no. 2 (2023). https://doi.org/10.22373/ujhk.v6i2.10207.

Abubakar, Bahrun, Sanusi Sanusi, Razali Razali, Taat Kurnita Yeniningsih, and Mujiburrahman Mujiburrahman. “Parenting Education in Islamic Families within the Framework of Family Resilience in Aceh, Indonesia.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 7, no. 2 (2023). https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v7i2.17901.

Akramov Akmaljon Anvarjon ugli, Abdikhakimov Islombek Bahodir ugli, Sharipova Xilola Rustamovna, ⁠Yakubova Madinabonu Abdumalikovna, and Gulommamatova Parvina Akbarali kizi. “Legal Issues of Digital Asset Inheritance from an Islamic Law Perspective.” Ijtihad : Jurnal Wacana Hukum Islam Dan Kemanusiaan 25, no. 2 (2025). https://doi.org/10.18326/ijtihad.v25i2.191-212.

Avita, Nur, Ahmad Rusyaid Idris, and Frina Oktalita. “Integration Of Tradition And Sharia: Dowry and Dui Menre in the Marriage of the Bugis Community in Bone Regency.” El-Mashlahah 12, no. 2 (2022). https://doi.org/10.23971/elma.v12i2.4712.

Azni, Azni, Muhammad Akhyar Rifqi, Saifunnajar Saifunnajar, Kholil Syu’aib, and Najibah Bt Mohd. Zin. “The Timing Analysis of Inheritance Distributions in the Compilation of Islamic Law.” Al-Risalah: Forum Kajian Hukum Dan Sosial Kemasyarakatan 23, no. 2 (2023). https://doi.org/10.30631/alrisalah.v23i2.1431.

Dewa Gede Edi Praditha dan . I Wayan Eka Artajaya. Hukum Adat Bali: Denyut Nadi Bali Dalam Gempuran Globalisasi. Medan: Media Penerbit Indonesia, 2024.

Djawas, Mursyid, Gamal Achyar, Nusyirwan Bustanul Arifin, Masri Reza, and Baharuddin Umar Yakub. “The Legal Position of Children of Incest (A Study of Madhhab Scholars and Compilation of Islamic Law).” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 6, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v6i1.11904.

Djawas, Mursyid, and Riska Fajrina. “Efektifitas Lembaga Perlindungan Anak Terlantar: Studi Pada Panti Asuhan Suci Hati Di Meulaboh, Kabupaten Aceh Barat.” SAMARAH: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 3, no. 2 (2019). https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v3i2.4904.

Djawas, Mursyid, Khairuddin Hasballah, Soraya Devy, Muntasir A Kadir, and Yusfriadi Abda. “The Construction of Islamic Inheritance Law: A Comparative Study of the Islamic Jurisprudence and the Compilation of Islamic Law.” JURIS (Jurnal Ilmiah Syariah) 21, no. 2 (2022). https://doi.org/https://dx.doi.org/10.31958/juris.v21i2.7495.

Filzah, Nadhilah. “Perlindungan Dan Kemanfaatan Hukum Terhadap Putusan Itsbat Nikah Di Mahkamah Syar’iyyah Bireun (Analisis Putusan Perkara No. 82/Pdt.P/2019/Ms-Br).” El-Usrah 4, no. 1 (2021). https://doi.org/10.22373/ujhk.v4i1.9368.

Fitriyati, Y, D Ibrahim, F Muntaqo, and K N S Hasan. “Reconsidering Inheritance Equality: Gender Justice in Religious Court Decisions through the Lens of Maqashid Al-Shariah.” Nurani 25, no. 1 (2025). https://doi.org/10.19109/nurani.v25i1.27133.

Haar, B. Ter. Adat Law in Indonesia, Terjemahan E.A. Hoebel Dan A.A. Schiller. New York: Institute of Pacific Relations, 1948.

Hamdani, Fahmi Fatwa Rosyadi Satria, Suci Pebrianti, Liza Dzulhijjah, and Hudzaifah Muhammad Maricar. “Traditional Law vs. Islamic Law; An Analysis of Muslim Community Awareness in Inheritance Issues.” Al-Ahkam 32, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.21580/ahkam.2022.32.1.11000.

Harahap, Ikhwanuddin, Fatahuddin Aziz Siregar, and Erie Hariyanto. “Understanding The Rise of Childfree Marriage: Avoiding Toxic Family, Being Happy and Well Without Children Despite Contradiction With Maqashid Al-Sharia.” Al-Istinbath: Jurnal Hukum Islam 10, no. 1 (2025). https://doi.org/10.29240/jhi.v10i1.9984.

Hasballah, Khairuddin, Dhaiful Mubarrak, and Saddam Rassanjani. “Disparity in Judge Decisions in Resolving Rad Inheritance Disputes: Case Study at the Sharia Court in Banda Aceh City.” El-Usrah 6, no. 2 (2023). https://doi.org/10.22373/ujhk.v6i2.8612.

Hasyim, Serlika Aprita dan Yonani. Hukum Adat. Ed. 1. Cet. Jakarta: Mitra Wacana Media, 2023.

Ilyas, Ilyas, Faisal A. Rani, Rizanizarli Rizanizarli, Fikri Fikri, and Mahfud Mahfud. “The Legal Construction of Daughter as Ashabah in Aceh from An Islamic Law Perspective.” El-Usrah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga 8, no. 2 (2025). https://doi.org/10.22373/ujhk.v8i2.26804.

Jordi, Wayan, Kahar Lahae, and Sri Susyanti. “Kedudukan Anak Perempuan Sebagai Anak Tunggal Dalam Sistem Pewarisan Pada Masyarakat Adat Bali ( The Position Of Daughter As The Only Children In The Inheritance System In Balinese Society ).” Jurnal Ilmiah Advokasi 10, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.36987/jiad.v10i1.2270.

Kasdi, Abdurrohman, and Khoiril Anwar. “Inheritance Distribution of Adopted Children in The Perspective of Customary Law and Islamic Law Compilation: Case Study of the Application of Inheritance Law in Kudus.” Al-Ahkam 29, no. 2 (2019). https://doi.org/10.21580/ahkam.2019.29.2.4203.

Kehakiman dan Ham Indonesia. Badan Pembinaan Hukum Nasional Departemen , Seminar Hukum Adat Dan Pembinaan Hukum Nasional. Jakarta: Binacipta, 1975.

“Kejaksaan Republik Indonesia, ‘Pembagian Hak Antar Ahli Waris,’ 31 September 2025, Tersedia Pada Https://Halojpn.Kejaksaan.Go.Id/Publik/d/ , Diakses Pada Tanggal 24 Oktober 2025,” n.d.

Maheswara, Ida Bagus Alit Yoga. Aspek Legalitas Hukum Pidana Dengan Hukum Adat. Jurnal Komunikasi Hukum. Vol. 7, 2021.

Maimanah Maimanah, M. Fahmi al-Amruzy, Arni Arni, Siti Faridah. “Delay in the Division of Inheritance: A Theoretical Review within Legal System Framework in Indonesia.” Syariah: Jurnal Hukum Dan Pemikiran 24, no. 1 (2024). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.18592/sjhp.v24i1.12916.

Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat, Tap MPRS No.II/MPRS/1960, tentang Garis-Garis Besar Pola Pembangunan Nasional Semesta Berencana (n.d.).

Maloko, M. Tahir, Agus Indiyanto, Henky Fernando, and Yuniar Galuh Larasati. “Sompa Tanah in Makassar Bugis Customary Marriages: Legal, Religious, and Cultural Perspectives.” Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun 12, no. 3 (2024). https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v12i3.1309.

Manik Wedanti, I Gusti Ayu Jatiana, I Wayan P Windia, Putu Gede Arya Sumerta Yasa, AA Gde Oka Parwata, and I Ketut Sudantra. “Aspects of Gender Equality and Justice in Nyentana Marriage in the Balinese Customary Law Society.” International Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding 10, no. 8 (2023). https://doi.org/10.18415/ijmmu.v10i8.5022.

Musawwamah, Siti, Muhammad Taufiq, Erie Hariyanto, Umi Supraptiningsih, and Maimun Maimun. “Resistance to Child Marriage Prevention in Indonesia and Malaysia.” AHKAM : Jurnal Ilmu Syariah 23, no. 1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.15408/ajis.v23i1.32014.

Nasution, Hotnidah, and Ahmad Rifqi Muchtar. “Negotiating Islamic Law: The Practice of Inheritance Distribution in Polygamous Marriages in Indonesian Islamic Courts.” Al-Manahij: Jurnal Kajian Hukum Islam, 2024. https://doi.org/10.24090/mnh.v18i1.10921.

Pratama, I Wayan Bhayu Eka. “Perkawinan Nyentana Di Bali: Urgensi, Tata Cara, Dan Prospeknya Di Era Modern.” Jurnal Hukum Lex Generalis 2, no. 6 (2021).

Putusan Pengadilan Negeri Denpasar (No.188/Pdt.G/2002/PN.Dps.), n.d.

Rahardjo, Satjipto. Hukum Progresif: Sebuah Sintesa Hukum Indonesia. Yogyakarta: Genta Publishing, 2009.

Rahman, Ulfiani, Idham Idham, M Dalif, Makmur Makmur, and Anwar Sewang. “Men and Women in The Distribution of Inheritance in Mandar, West Sulawesi, Indonesia.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 6, no. 1 (2022).

Ramli, Misran, Syarifah Rahmatillah, Abidin Nurdin, and Nurul Auliana. “Unveiling Illegal Marriages in Aceh: Examining the Role of Unofficial Qadi.” El-Mashlahah 14, no. 2 (2024). https://doi.org/10.23971/el-mashlahah.v14i2.8887.

Ritonga, Raja, Sumper Mulia Harahap, Asrul Hamid, Andri Muda, and Zuhdi Hsb. “Portion of Married Daughters in Inheritance Share among Angkola Batak Community.” AL-IHKAM: Jurnal Hukum & Pranata Sosial 19, no. 1 (2024). https://doi.org/10.19105/al-lhkam.v19i1.7342.

Roslina, Roslina, Syahrizal Abbas, Ilyas Ismail, and Iman Jauhari. “Reinterpreting Islamic Inheritance: Supreme Court Jurisprudence and Gender Justice in Indonesia.” Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun 13, no. 3 (2025). https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v13i3.1593.

Said, Wardana, Hukmiah Hukmiah, Suriani Nur, Sri Wahyuni, and Rahmatul Akbar. “Marriage Traditions and Family Resilience in Bugis Bone Society: A Study of Islamic Law and Islamic Education.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 8, no. 3 (2024). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v8i3.23227.

Santika, Sovia, and Yusnita Eva. “Kewarisan Dalam Sistem Kekerabatan Matrilineal, Patrilineal Dan Bilateral.” Al-Mashlahah : Jurnal Hukum Islam Dan Pranata Sosial Islam 11 (02) (2023).

Soekanto, Soerjono. Hukum Adat Indonesia. Jakarta: Rajawali Pers, 2008.

Soetandyo Wignjosoebroto. Hukum: Paradigma, Metode, Dan Dinamika Masalahnya. Jakarta: Elsam Lembaga Studi Dan Advokasi Masyarakat, 2002.

Solin, Siti Dian Natasya, Mursyid Djawas, Aulil Amri, Andi Sugirman, and Asni Zubair. “Batak Customary Marriage: A Study of the Prohibition of Same-Clan Marriage and Its Relevance in the Contemporary Era.” El-Usrah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga 7, no. 1 (2024). https://doi.org/10.22373/ujhk.v7i1.23309.

Sumardi, Dedy, Ratno Lukito, and Moch Nur Ichwan. “Legal Pluralism within the Space of Sharia: Interlegality of Criminal Law Traditions in Aceh, Indonesia.” Samarah, 2021. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v5i1.9303.

Tarmizi, Tarmizi, Rahma Amir, Darussalam Syamsuddin, Hamzah Hasan, and Muh Saleh Ridwan. “Inheritance Distribution and Conflict Resolution in Bone Regency: Upholding Women’s Rights and Islamic Law Objectives.” De Jure: Jurnal Hukum Dan Syar’iah 16, no. 2 (2024). https://doi.org/10.18860/J-FSH.V16I2.29477.

Undang-Undang Dasar Negara Republik Indonesia Tahun 1945, selanjutnya disebut UUD 1945, Pasal 18B ayat (2). (n.d.).

Undang-Undang Nomor 48 Tahun 2009 Tentang Kekuasaan Kehakiman (n.d.).

“Undang-Undang Tentang Kekuasaan Kehakiman, UU Nomor 48 Tahun 2009, LN Tahun 2009 No. 157 TLN No. 5076, Selanjutnya Disebut UUKK, Pasal 5 Ayat (1).,” n.d.

Wiryawan, I Wayan Gde, Ketut Sukawati Lanang P. Perbawa, and I Wayan Wiasta. “Hukum Adat Bali Di Tengah Modernisasi Pembangunan Dan Arus Budaya Global.” Jurnal Bakti Saraswati 4, no. 2 (2015).

Wulandari, Sevina Ayu, and Fahriza Dhya Kusuma. “Analisis Penerapan Sistem Hukum Waris Patrilineal Dalam Masyarakat Adat Bali.” Indonesian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 3, no. 2 (2023).

Yakub, Bahruddin Umar, Husain Husain, Abidin Nurdin, Nurhayati Nurhayati, and Miftah Khilmi Hidayatulloh. “Living Qur’an, Gender, and Sibaliparriq, in Mandar, Indonesia: Cultural Construction in the Perspective of Islamic Law.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 7, no. 2 (2023). https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v7i2.17892.

Yanti, Illy, Y. Yuliatin, Siti Mahmudah, M. Mahluddin, and Yuniar Galuh Larasati. “Negotiating Sharīʿah and Customary Law: Legal Pluralism in Familial Relationships among the Suku Anak Dalam in Jambi.” Journal of Islamic Law 6, no. 2 (2025). https://doi.org/10.24260/jil.v6i2.3311.

Zainuddin, Muslim, Mukhsin Nyak Umar, Dedy Sumardi, Mansari, and Zakki Fuad Khalil. “Protection of Women and Children in the Perspective of Legal Pluralism: A Study in Aceh and West Nusa Tenggara.” Samarah 8, no. 3 (2024). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v8i3.22203.