Fenomena Penggunaan Nama-nama Arab pada Masyarakat Muslim Karo di Berastagi: Kajian Antropolinguistik

Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon of Arabic name usage among Karo Muslims in Berastagi using an anthropolinguistic approach. The naming practices illustrate a process of acculturation between Islamic religious identity and the cultural identity of the Karo people, which is preserved through the traditional clan system known as marga. In this context, names function not only as personal labels but also as social symbols that carry cultural, religious, and historical values embedded within the community. This research employs a descriptive qualitative method involving in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation with ten informants from the Karo Muslim community who bear Arabic-influenced names. The findings reveal that the choice of Arabic names is motivated by several factors, including the parents’ religious commitment, aspirations regarding the child’s character, and social influences that emphasize the significance of Islamic identity. Meanwhile, the marga is maintained as a fundamental component of Karo identity, marking lineage and social position. The combination of these two elements produces a harmonious dual identity. The study also shows that Arabic–Karo naming is not merely an adoption of external cultural elements but a process of identity negotiation that naturally occurs within social life. Through this naming practice, Karo Muslims affirm their belonging to the broader Islamic community while preserving their local cultural roots. Thus, Arabic–Karo naming practices reflect an adaptive cultural dynamic and demonstrate how collective identity continues to evolve within the context of ongoing social change.