Understanding Intercultural Encounters: Communication Practices of Bugis and Ternate People in Ternate

This study aims to probe and comprehend the dynamics of communication between The Bugis and Ternate people in the context of daily life in Ternate. Communication between strangers and host cultures often presents complex and interesting challenges in understanding different cultures, beliefs and social practices. This study employs a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews and participant observation to explore the communication experiences between Bugis migrants and Ternate locals in daily life. Research participants included Bugis individuals residing in Ternate and Ternate community members who interacted directly with them. The findings reveal how the Bugis, as newcomers, and the Ternate people, as host communities, negotiate intercultural communication, the challenges they encounter in building relationships, and the strategies they use to bridge cultural differences. The study highlights the significance of intercultural communication competence, along with the crucial roles of language, nonverbal cues, and cultural perceptions in shaping these interactions. This research is expected to contribute to broader cross-cultural understanding and intercultural communication studies, while offering practical recommendations for strengthening relations between Bugis and Ternate communities. It also provides a foundation for future research on intercultural communication in Indonesia involving other cultural groups.