Priyayi
Encyclopedia
Priyayi is the Dutch era class of the nobles of the Robe
, as opposed to royal nobility
or bangsawan (Indonesian) or ningrat/di ningrat (Javanese
) in Java
, Indonesia
's most populous island. Priyayi was a Javanese word coined for the descendants of the adipati or governors, the first of whom were appointed in the 17th century by Sultan Agung of Mataram
to administer the principalities he had conquered.
, bureaucratic posts (for example regents) were generally attributed to members of these families, who formed the upper classes of traditional Javanese society, in contrast to the other classes, especially the peasantry or wong cilik ('little people' in Javanese
). Their culture is marked by affected elaborate customs and etiquettes.
Priyayi had better access to education than most natives of Java. For example, Raden Saleh
, a prominent 19th century painter has European educations. While Raden Mas Tjokroaminoto
, a leading nationalist, went to a Dutch-style school for civil servant.
The rank for male nobility title is: a simple Mas being the lowest, followed by simple Raden, and then the higher titles are compound titles of Raden Mas, Raden Panji, Raden Tumenggung, Raden Ngabehi and Raden Aria. These title were hereditary in some extents, a son will inherit title one level lower than his parent, unless it is already on the lowest rank.
The honorific Raden, is related with Malagasy
nobility of Randriana
or Andriana
, and derived from the same word Rahadyan (Ra-hadi-an), meaning Lord or Master in Old Javanese.
, identified three main cultural streams (aliran in Indonesian
) in Javanese society. Namely, the santri
, abangan
, and priyayi. The priyayi stream are the traditional bureaucratic elite and were strongly driven by hierarchical Hindu-Javanese tradition. Initially court officials in pre-colonial kingdoms, the stream moved into the colonial civil service
, and then on to administrators of the modern Indonesian republic.
Members of the santri stream are more likely to be urban dwellers, and tend to be oriented to the mosque, the Qur'an, and perhaps to Islamic canon law (Sharia). In contrast, the abangan tend to be from village backgrounds and absorb both Hindu
and Muslim elements, forming a culture of animist and folk traditions. The santri are sometimes referred to as Puthihan (the white ones) as distinct from the 'red' abangan.
Nobles of the Robe
Under the Old Regime, the Nobles of the Robe or Nobles of the Gown were French aristocrats who owed their rank to judicial or administrative posts — often bought outright for high sums. As a rule, these positions did not grant the holder with a title , but were honorary positions almost always...
, as opposed to royal nobility
Nobility
Nobility is a social class which possesses more acknowledged privileges or eminence than members of most other classes in a society, membership therein typically being hereditary. The privileges associated with nobility may constitute substantial advantages over or relative to non-nobles, or may be...
or bangsawan (Indonesian) or ningrat/di ningrat (Javanese
Javanese language
Javanese language is the language of the Javanese people from the central and eastern parts of the island of Java, in Indonesia. In addition, there are also some pockets of Javanese speakers in the northern coast of western Java...
) in Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
's most populous island. Priyayi was a Javanese word coined for the descendants of the adipati or governors, the first of whom were appointed in the 17th century by Sultan Agung of Mataram
Sultan Agung of Mataram
Sultan Agung of Mataram or Sultan Agung Anyokrokusumo or Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusumo was the Sultan of Mataram from 1613-1645...
to administer the principalities he had conquered.
Colonial period
During Dutch colonizationDutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
, bureaucratic posts (for example regents) were generally attributed to members of these families, who formed the upper classes of traditional Javanese society, in contrast to the other classes, especially the peasantry or wong cilik ('little people' in Javanese
Javanese language
Javanese language is the language of the Javanese people from the central and eastern parts of the island of Java, in Indonesia. In addition, there are also some pockets of Javanese speakers in the northern coast of western Java...
). Their culture is marked by affected elaborate customs and etiquettes.
Priyayi had better access to education than most natives of Java. For example, Raden Saleh
Raden Saleh
Raden Saleh Sjarif Boestaman is one of the best known painters from Indonesia and a pioneer of modern Indonesian art....
, a prominent 19th century painter has European educations. While Raden Mas Tjokroaminoto
Tjokroaminoto
Hadji Oemar Said Tjokroaminoto was a nationalist, the first leader of Sarekat Dagang Islam in Indonesia.-Early life:...
, a leading nationalist, went to a Dutch-style school for civil servant.
Titles
Priyayi class used elaborate title system. Some of the commonly used titles among Javanese nobility were:- Raden : used by male nobility
- Raden Ayu : used by female unmarried nobility
- Raden Ajeng : used by female married nobility
- Tumenggung : additional title, used by nobility who held a Regency office
- Mas : simple title for petty nobility
The rank for male nobility title is: a simple Mas being the lowest, followed by simple Raden, and then the higher titles are compound titles of Raden Mas, Raden Panji, Raden Tumenggung, Raden Ngabehi and Raden Aria. These title were hereditary in some extents, a son will inherit title one level lower than his parent, unless it is already on the lowest rank.
The honorific Raden, is related with Malagasy
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
nobility of Randriana
Andriana
Andriana is a title of nobility in Madagascar and often traditionally formed part of the names of noblemen, princes and kings. Historically, many Malagasy ethnic groups lived in highly stratified caste-based social orders in which the andriana were the political and/or spiritual leaders...
or Andriana
Andriana
Andriana is a title of nobility in Madagascar and often traditionally formed part of the names of noblemen, princes and kings. Historically, many Malagasy ethnic groups lived in highly stratified caste-based social orders in which the andriana were the political and/or spiritual leaders...
, and derived from the same word Rahadyan (Ra-hadi-an), meaning Lord or Master in Old Javanese.
Geertz's theory
The American sociologist, Clifford GeertzClifford Geertz
Clifford James Geertz was an American anthropologist who is remembered mostly for his strong support for and influence on the practice of symbolic anthropology, and who was considered "for three decades...the single most influential cultural anthropologist in the United States." He served until...
, identified three main cultural streams (aliran in Indonesian
Indonesian language
Indonesian is the official language of Indonesia. Indonesian is a normative form of the Riau Islands dialect of Malay, an Austronesian language which has been used as a lingua franca in the Indonesian archipelago for centuries....
) in Javanese society. Namely, the santri
Santri
The Santri are a cultural 'stream' of people within the population of Javanese who practice a more orthodox version of Islam, in contrast to the abangan classes....
, abangan
Abangan
Abangan refers to the population of Javanese Muslims who practice a more syncretic version of Islam than the more orthodox santri. The term, apparently derived from the Javanese word for red, was first developed by Clifford Geertz but the meaning has since shifted. Abangan are more inclined to...
, and priyayi. The priyayi stream are the traditional bureaucratic elite and were strongly driven by hierarchical Hindu-Javanese tradition. Initially court officials in pre-colonial kingdoms, the stream moved into the colonial civil service
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
, and then on to administrators of the modern Indonesian republic.
Members of the santri stream are more likely to be urban dwellers, and tend to be oriented to the mosque, the Qur'an, and perhaps to Islamic canon law (Sharia). In contrast, the abangan tend to be from village backgrounds and absorb both Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
and Muslim elements, forming a culture of animist and folk traditions. The santri are sometimes referred to as Puthihan (the white ones) as distinct from the 'red' abangan.
Further reading
- Bertrand, Romain, Etat colonial, noblesse et nationalisme à Java. La Tradition parfaite, Karthala, Paris, 2005, ISBN 2845866372
- Geertz, Clifford. The Religion of Java. Glencoe, IL: The Free Press, 1960
- Sutherland, Heather, "Notes on Java's Regent Families : Part I", Indonesia, Volume 16 (October 1973), pp. 113–147