Page 216 - THE MELANESIA DIASPORA FILE CETAK ISI 10022017

Causes of Early Human Migrations
People can choose to move (voluntary migration) or be compelled to move (forced
migration). Migration has been happening since ancient times, starting with the migrations
of the first groups of people from East Africa who subsequently spread throughout the
world. Migration has been happening in various ways: inter-continental, continental, or
regional. Present day migration typically involves people moving from the city to a new
country. Migration is a phenomenon which happens when a group of people move for the
same reason. People migrate because of various reasons. It is a decision based on thinking
about what is good or bad if they stay or move.
• Supporting Factors: People leave where they live due to problems or difficulties
such as war, flooding, and food shortages.
• Attracting Factors: People also are motivated to move in search of a better life, be
it a better climate, or better food supply.
In Indonesia, supporting factors involve natural processes in particular in coastal areas
which are vulnerable to disasters such as tsunamis, or land subsidence. Inland, and in
mountainous areas, common disasters include floods, volcanic eruptions, landslides and
earthquakes.

The Law of Migration
Causes of modern migrations were identified in the late 19 century by Ravenstein (1885).
th
• Most migrations take place over short distances;
• Long distance migration usually involves stopovers in towns;
• Most migration is from villages to cities;
• Most migrants are adults.

Migratory Routes through Indonesia
Human migration, known as the Out of Africa theory started 2 million years ago. In
accordance with the advancement of knowledge and science that people had at that time,
their movement and beginning of migration would be very much influenced by changes of
coastal morphology, especially fluctuations in the sea level.
In contrast to when low sea levels turned the different islands into a connected
landmass, inter-island migration of modern people has been going on since 7,000 years
ago, made possible by sailing ability and boat building technology.

216 Chapter 5

MELANESIA BOOK FA LAYOUT 051216.indd 216 2/10/17 2:10 PM