<![CDATA[This article describes a case of social interaction between ethnic Mandailing and Javanese in Pasar Singkuang II Village, Muara Batang Gadis District, Mandailing Natal District, North Sumatra. This study focuses on forms of inter-ethnic interaction, the problems they experience, and efforts to overcome them. This is a qualitative-descriptive study where data is collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The data is processed using descriptive analysis procedures from Miles-Huberman, borrowing social interaction theory as an analytical framework. This study found that in the case of the Mandailing-Javanese ethnic group, inter-ethnic social interactions were associative through social cooperation and acculturation. On the other hand, their interaction is also dissociative because there are inhibiting factors such as communication problems and differences in the ethical values and norms of each ethnic group. These obstacles are overcome by being open to others, adapting, and avoiding negative prejudice. In addition, this study found that in inter-ethnic interactions, religion exerts a strong influence both as a communal identity and through social-religious activities, so that their differences can be merged and strengthen social integration.AbstrakArtikel ini menjelaskan kasus interaksi sosial antaretnik Mandailing dan Jawa di Desa Pasar Singkuang II Kecamatan Muara Batang Gadis Kabupaten Mandailing Natal, Sumatera Utara. Studi ini fokus pada bentuk interaksi antaretnik, problem yang mereka alami dan usaha mengatasinya. Ini merupakan kajian kualitatif-deksriptif di mana data dikumpulkan melalui observasi, wawancara mendalam dan dokumentasi, data diolah menggunakan prosedur analisis deskriptif dari Miles-Huberman dengan meminjam teori interaksi sosial sebagai kerangka analisis. Studi ini menemukan bahwa dalam kasus etnik Mandailing-Jawa di Pasar Singkuang II, interaksi sosial antaretnik terjalin secara asosiatif, melalui kerja sama sosial dan akulturasi. Di sisi lain, interaksi mereka juga bersifat disosiatif karena ada faktor penghambat seperti problem komunikasi dan perbedaan nilai etika dan norma masing-masing etnik. Hambatan tersebut diatasi dengan cara bersikap terbuka terhadap sesama, beradaptasi, menghindari prasangka negatif. Selain itu, kajian ini menemukan bahwa dalam interaksi antaretnik, agama memberi pengaruh kuat baik sebagai identitas komunal maupun lewat aktivitas sosial keagamaan, sehingga perbedaan mereka dapat dileburkan dan memperkuat integrasi sosial.]]>
