Representation of Emigration: The Meaning of the #Kaburajadulu Meme on Instagram

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the hashtag #kaburajadulu on Instagram as a digital representation of emigration among Indonesian youth. The findings reveal how the trend reflects aspirations for better opportunities abroad, shaped by economic pressures, identity struggles, and collective imagination. Unlike previous research focused on mainstream media, the analysis demonstrates social media’s evolving role in shaping emigration narratives. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, this study analyzes 143,000 Instagram posts shared between August 1–17, 2025, during Indonesia’s Independence Day. Data were collected through online documentation and examined using Miles and Huberman’s framework. The findings reveal that the hashtag #kaburajadulu functions not only as a symbolic expression of migration aspirations but also as a cultural medium through which young Indonesians articulate humor, solidarity, disappointment, hope, and socio-cultural anxieties. The trend reflects broader economic, educational, political, and employment-related concerns that encourage aspirations for opportunities abroad. Furthermore, the study demonstrates how Instagram has become a significant digital space for negotiating identity, expressing dissatisfaction with domestic socio-economic conditions, and constructing collective narratives of emigration. This research contributes to broader discussions on the relationship between social media, identity formation, and migration discourse in contemporary digital culture.