Rakjat
Definition & Context
Rakjat is a term referring to ordinary people or the common masses during the tempoe doeloe (the old days) of the Dutch East Indies. The word describes the lower social class that had no special status or high rank, unlike the priyayi, government officials, or nobility.
Synonyms & Variants
jelata
Common or lower class of society, often without high social status.
kawula
Archaic term for common people or subjects, often used in royal or feudal contexts.
masyarakat
The entirety of people living together in an area or sharing common culture and values.
rakyat
General public or inhabitants of a country, often referring to common people.
warga
Member of a community, country, or social group.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The term 'rakjat' was widely used during the Dutch East Indies colonial era to refer to the common people without high social status.
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