Beyond harmony: lessons from intercultural conflict mitigation between Mandar and Javanese communities in West Sulawesi

This practical note explores the local mechanisms of intercultural conflict mitigation between Mandar and Javanese communities in Wonomulyo District, Polewali Mandar Regency, West Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Originating from a colonial-era transmigration program in 1937, Wonomulyo evolved into a culturally plural community where Javanese farmers and Mandar fishers coexist. Although the district is often portrayed as harmonious, latent tensions occasionally arise from differences in economic class, religious practice, and local leadership. Yet these potential conflicts are managed through everyday negotiation, shared economic interdependence, and communication ethics rooted in mutual respect. Drawing from qualitative fieldwork, interviews, and focus group discussions, this study highlights how intercultural resilience is maintained through adaptive dialogue, intermarriage, and moral reciprocity. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on peacebuilding and community-based conflict prevention in multicultural rural settings. The note offers practical insights for policymakers and development practitioners working on social cohesion and intercultural communication in rural Indonesia and similar global contexts.