Archipelagic Ecotheology: A Theology from Indonesian Indigenous Everydayness

Elia Maggang

doi:10.46567/ijt.v13i2.629

Authors

Elia Maggang University of Manchester, United Kingdom

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46567/ijt.v13i2.629

Keywords:

ecotheology, Indonesian archipelago, sea, land, ecopneumatology, Mark 6:30–44

Abstract

The dominance of the green depicting Eurocentric, land-based colonial perspectives within the subfield of ecotheology has led to the neglect of crises affecting the sea. In response, blue ecotheology reflects a growing emphasis on marine and coastal communities within ecotheological discourse. Yet blue ecotheology has not adequately addressed the crucial issue of interconnectedness between land and sea communities, an entanglement pivotal for both causing and resolving ecological crises at sea. Therefore, this article proposes archipelagic ecotheology as a framework to elevate blue perspectives and simultaneously articulate a vision of interconnectedness between sea (blue) and land (green) communities as a unified planetary entity. This ecotheology draws inspiration from Indigenous Indonesian archipelagic everyday life, encapsulated in sayings such as that from Pantar Island: “tei kari dekang, sera bata ra’ung” (yams come down from the mountains, fish come up from the sea). Navigating archipelagic everydayness, I read the narrative of Jesus feeding the multitude with fish and loaves in Mark 6:30-44 from what will be defined as an ecopneumatological perspective, to construct an archipelagic ecotheology that begins with and aims for the living interactions between sea and land communities. This archipelagic ecotheology may serve as a model for ecotheological discourse that embraces the diverse ecological communities of our planet.

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Author Biography

Elia Maggang, University of Manchester, United Kingdom

Elia Maggang holds a PhD from the University of Manchester, UK. Based in Indonesia, his theological work revolves around the intersections of Christianity and Indigenous traditions, especially their theology and practice regarding the sea and humans’ relationship with the sea and land.

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