KONFLIK ETNIK DI TANJUNG BALAI DALAM TINJAUAN ANTROPOLOGI

The research aims to find out the causes and processes of ethnic conflict, the impact of conflict and solutions from the government in Tanjung Balai. Research design is qualitative with ethnographic approach. Data collection is done through in-depth interviews, observation and document studies. The informants were chosen by purposive sampling, those who were involved and knew related to the research object, such as Al-Maksum mosque board at Jalan Karya, ethnic minority Chinese businessmen, and local laborers working on ethnic minority of Tionghoa. The data were analyzed qualitatively with ethnographic approach ie domain analysis, taxonomic analysis, component analysis, and theme analysis. The result of the research is known that the cause of ethnic conflict in Tanjung Balai is social and economic happiness between ethnic majority-minority and religious sentiments. The process of ethnic conflict in Tanjung Balai originated from the symbolic conflict of Buddhist Statue development, the establishment of Vihara and Temple which was seen as co-opting the cultural identity of ethnic majority and the symbol of Islam which later resulted in the burning of Vihara, Kelenteng, Yayasan Sosial and Balai Pengobatan belonging to ethnic minority of Tionghoa. The impact of the conflict occurs physically and non-physically (socio-economic and psychological impact). This conflict resolution solution is based on a joint decision to relocate the two-story Buddhist Statue, strengthening the economy through small and medium-sized businesses, and increasing ethnic majority skills in Tanjung Balai.The conclusion of this research is that the conflict in Tanjung Balai is a horizontal conflict involving ethnic majority with ethnic Chinese minority in Tanjung Balai caused by various problems and result in burning and destruction of Vihara, Temple, Social Foundation belonging to ethnic minority of Tionghoa and Medical Center.