Agroecological Practices and Symbolic Communication in Bajau Coastal Communities: Pathways to Sustainable Fisheries and Rural Development
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Coastal and marine ecosystems are crucial for maintaining food security, ecological balance, and rural livelihoods, yet they are increasingly threatened by human exploitation, habitat degradation, and climate change. These pressures threaten the cultural and ecological integrity of traditional maritime communities such as the Bajau, whose livelihoods are closely tied to coastal resources. This study explores how Bajau’s symbolic communication and agroecological knowledge contribute to sustainable fisheries management and coastal ecosystem conservation. Using a qualitative ethnographic approach within a post-positivist paradigm, the research was conducted in Muslim Bajau settlements along the Tiworo Strait, Southeast Sulawesi, involving 31 key informants selected through purposive sampling. Data was obtained through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and field documentation, and analyzed using an interactive model consisting of condensation, categorization, interpretation, and verification. The findings reveal that Bajau ecological governance integrates spiritual-ethical values, traditional ecological wisdom, and community-based management principles within an integrated coastal agroecological system—encompassing fisheries, mangrove management, and nearshore resource management. Three interrelated dimensions underlie these practices: Islamic ecological wisdom, symbolic communication, and intergenerational knowledge transmission. Rituals, taboos, and traditional fishing practices serve as moral-educational mechanisms that strengthen ecological awareness, ethical behavior, and collective responsibility towards nature. Theoretically, this study advances understanding of the interconnections between spiritual beliefs, cultural practices, and environmental governance in maritime communities. Practically, this study offers a replicable model for community-based coastal management that aligns moral values with adaptive ecological strategies. Policy implications emphasize the integration of cultural ethics, symbolic communication, and local ecological knowledge into coastal resource planning to enhance socio-ecological resilience and food security in maritime areas. Keywords: Marine ecosystems, biodiversity, livelihood, agroecology, coastal management, food security, traditional knowledge, sustainable rural development.
Authors: La Ode Jumaidin, Sirajuddin Sirajuddin
Institution: Universitas Halu Oleo
Language: English
Subfield: Cultural Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $200
OpenAlex ID: W7124991479