Bunyai leadership in developing santri literacy in an Indonesian pesantren: A gendered organizations perspective

The role of Nyai in pesantren literacy development warrants examination beyond their position as kiai’s wives through leadership practices, organizational support, and santri involvement. This study examines the leadership of Bunyai, a local term for Nyai, in developing santri literacy traditions through educational authority, a supportive ecosystem, and strategies for organizing literacy activities. A qualitative case study approach was employed. Data were collected in September 2024 through in-depth interviews with Bunyai and two purposively selected female teachers, direct observation, and documentation of santri activities and written works. Data were analyzed thematically and interpreted through Joan Acker’s gendered organizations perspective. Credibility was assessed through source and methodological triangulation. Three findings emerged. First, Bunyai’s leadership involved establishing literacy requirements, developing learning support structures, and fostering pedagogical relationships that guided santri engagement with knowledge sources. Second, the literacy ecosystem connected leadership and collaborative support, the santri initiative and participation opportunities, the learning environment, and the library. Third, literacy strategies encompassed writing based on activity experiences, organizing the publication of santri works, providing spaces for discussion and consultation, and managing access to reading materials. The study concludes that literacy activities are organized through interconnected educational authority, institutional support, and santri participation. The findings enrich contextual understanding of women’s leadership in family-based pesantren and provide a practical basis for coordinating and evaluating literacy programs. The study does not establish improvements in literacy skills across all santri, causal relationships, or changes in gender relations.