Young Muslim Women’s Negotiation of Authenticity on Instagram

Authors

  • Alila Pramiyanti Telkom University
  • Evonne Miller Queensland University of Technology
  • Glenda Caldwell Queensland University of Technology
  • Eri Kurniawan Indonesia University of Education

Keywords:

authenticity, collectivistic culture, Indonesian hijabers, Instagram, self-portraits

Abstract

This article addresses how Indonesian hijabers—a term for fashion-conscious hijab-wearing women—participate in expressing and negotiating their authentic selves through the photo-sharing culture on Instagram. Twenty-one hijabers’ self-portraits were examined through a digital ethnographic method that used semistructured face-to-face interviews and participant observations at various hijabers’ community events in Indonesia. Findings reveal that “being the real me” is the hijabers’ claim to project their self-portrait authenticity. This claim is shaped by Indonesian social norms and Islamic values. The hijabers are curating a version of authenticity that is designed to be culturally acceptable. Therefore, this study provides a new understanding of how Indonesian hijabers’ negotiation of authenticity on Instagram is subjected to a collectivistic culture.

Author Biographies

Alila Pramiyanti, Telkom University

Alila Pramiyanti, Ph.D.Senior lecturerSchool of CommunicationTelkom UniversityJl. Telekomunikasi No. 1 Ters. Buah Bat,  BandungPhone: +61 022-7564108 

Evonne Miller, Queensland University of Technology

Prof. Evonne MillerSchool of DesignQueensland University of Technology2 Goerge St, Brisbane, Queensland AustraliaPhone: +61 7 3138 5231

Glenda Caldwell, Queensland University of Technology

Dr. Glenda CaldwellSenior lecturerSchool of DesignQueensland University of Technology2 Goerge St, Brisbane, Queensland AustraliaPhone: +61 7 3138 5231

Eri Kurniawan, Indonesia University of Education

Eri Kurniawan, Ph.DDepartment of English EducationJl. Dr. Setiabudhi No. 229 Bandung 40154 Phone: 022-2013163

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Published

2022-01-27

Issue

Section

Articles