Anarisan is a form ofRotating Savings and Credit Association inIndonesianculture, a form ofMicrofinance.^[1]

Generally thearisan is a social gathering that takes place at a fixed interval (this being an informal social network this may be variable), at each member's home in turn.^[2] The rotatingarisan holder (drawn by lots) receives payment from each other member and provides food for those members. In the course of thearisan the amount paid to other members will equal the amount received when thearisan is held.

Thearisan can vary from an essential form of credit in poorer social circles, funding an otherwise unaffordable business venture, wedding, or large purchase, to a purely social gathering for rich housewives with the money incidental (although the amounts can be considerable). As a source of finance it represents an alternative tobank loans and other forms ofcredit.^[3]

In general, nointerest is payable per se in thearisan, and forms vary regionally within Indonesia. In some cases thearisan lacks a social element and is simply a means of circulating money between members; in this case thearisan may take the form of an 'arisan call', known as 'julu julu' or 'jula jula' in Sumatra.^[4] Thearisan call involves an auction element, whereby the member receiving the payout each week^[5] is determined not by lot, but by bid, those willing to wait till the end of thearisan receiving the largest payout, while more desperate borrowers will receive less, but get money earlier.

• Culture of Indonesia