Slavery in the Nusantara
In ancient times, slaves were considered better than beggars. IN the span of Indonesia's history, slavery was once a legitimate work system. This practice took place during the commercial period (1400-1700). At that time there were a number of people who gave themselves voluntarily to the authorities to become slaves. Among others due to debt, inability to pay dowry, crop failure, or other catastrophes.
"In Achim (Aceh), everyone sells himself. A number of important rulers have no less than a thousand slaves, all large traders, who also have slaves, "wrote Montesquieu, a French philosopher, quoted by Anthony Reid in Southeast Asia in the Commercial Period 1450-1680. For them, it's better to sell yourself to get food than to beg.
The slaves worked to build the residences and palaces of the rulers. According to Augustin de Beaulieu, a French general who visited Aceh in the 17th century was quoted by Anthony Reid, "The king used them to clear forests, dig rocks, make mortar, and build."
Elsewhere, Banten for example, the authorities employed slaves to entertain guests. Note Fryke, a traveler in Banten in the 17th century, said, "When the Dutch arrived in Banten, the royal nobles and merchants already had a number of slaves who always entertained them every night by singing and dancing," quoted Anthony Reid, "Slavery and Slavery in the History of Southeast Asia", contained in the Early Modern History of Southeast Asia.
Their relationship is vertical: slaves occupy the bottom position, rulers are in the top position. This bond is typical of Southeast Asian society. Its appearance is unknown since when. "All the evidence shows that vertical ties are very ancient in Southeast Asia," wrote Anthony Reid. A similar situation was also found in Batavia and Sulu.
Especially in Batavia, it was not only the ruler who employed slaves but also free people (former slaves). Slaves were usually imported from Sulawesi and Bali. At that time the slave trade was controlled by the East Indies trade partnership (VOC).
Even so, slave owners cannot be arbitrary towards slaves. The authorities need slaves not only for labor but also as status symbols. "Labor control is seen as an indication of power and status because it is labor, not land, that is known as a scarce resource," Anthony Reid wrote in Southeast Asia in the Commercial Period.
Losing slaves means the disappearance of status. So the authorities tried to treat their slaves as best they could. But that is no guarantee. There were slaves who ran away from their masters, even resisted. The reason for their arbitrary treatment and feeling of comfort towards employers.
According to Hendrik E Niemeijer in Batavia of the XVII Century Colonial Society, there was a case of slaves who poisoned and stole their master's property due to the arbitrary treatment of the master. Proven guilty, the slaves were punished. "Men accused of poisoning and theft were burned alive," Hendrik wrote. (Read: Majalah Lampau Jakarta)
Conversely, a lord who applies immediately to his slaves can also be subject to punishment. The type is different in each region, depending on local law. What is clear is that there is protection for slaves.
Slavery continued despite the collapse of the VOC at the end of the 18th century. But this practice is not as bright as before. Moreover, the word "slave" is then associated with an oppressed person.
It has been revised
The slaves worked to build the residences and palaces of the rulers. According to Augustin de Beaulieu, a French general who visited Aceh in the 17th century was quoted by Anthony Reid, "The king used them to clear forests, dig rocks, make mortar, and build."
Elsewhere, Banten for example, the authorities employed slaves to entertain guests. Note Fryke, a traveler in Banten in the 17th century, said, "When the Dutch arrived in Banten, the royal nobles and merchants already had a number of slaves who always entertained them every night by singing and dancing," quoted Anthony Reid, "Slavery and Slavery in the History of Southeast Asia", contained in the Early Modern History of Southeast Asia.
Their relationship is vertical: slaves occupy the bottom position, rulers are in the top position. This bond is typical of Southeast Asian society. Its appearance is unknown since when. "All the evidence shows that vertical ties are very ancient in Southeast Asia," wrote Anthony Reid. A similar situation was also found in Batavia and Sulu.
Especially in Batavia, it was not only the ruler who employed slaves but also free people (former slaves). Slaves were usually imported from Sulawesi and Bali. At that time the slave trade was controlled by the East Indies trade partnership (VOC).
Even so, slave owners cannot be arbitrary towards slaves. The authorities need slaves not only for labor but also as status symbols. "Labor control is seen as an indication of power and status because it is labor, not land, that is known as a scarce resource," Anthony Reid wrote in Southeast Asia in the Commercial Period.
Losing slaves means the disappearance of status. So the authorities tried to treat their slaves as best they could. But that is no guarantee. There were slaves who ran away from their masters, even resisted. The reason for their arbitrary treatment and feeling of comfort towards employers.
According to Hendrik E Niemeijer in Batavia of the XVII Century Colonial Society, there was a case of slaves who poisoned and stole their master's property due to the arbitrary treatment of the master. Proven guilty, the slaves were punished. "Men accused of poisoning and theft were burned alive," Hendrik wrote. (Read: Majalah Lampau Jakarta)
Conversely, a lord who applies immediately to his slaves can also be subject to punishment. The type is different in each region, depending on local law. What is clear is that there is protection for slaves.
Slavery continued despite the collapse of the VOC at the end of the 18th century. But this practice is not as bright as before. Moreover, the word "slave" is then associated with an oppressed person.
It has been revised
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