Who are the Rejang?

RejangThe Rejang people live primarily in the province of Bengkulu, mainly in the Rejang Lebong Regency. Some also live in North Bengkulu Regency. The majority of Rejang live on the slopes of the Bukit Barisan mountain range, where the climate is cool and fresh. The Rafflesia flower (the world’s largest flower), as well as beautiful orchids, grow wild throughout this area. The Rejang have been known for their bravery and strength in battle. They have their own language, Rejang, with four dialects.

What are their lives like?

Rejang villages are quite orderly and neat. Similar to the neighboring Semendo and Pasemah ethnic groups, the Rejang are good farmers. The Rejang people normally grow coffee for a living. They normally clear land for farming using traditional methods without adding fertilizer and only growing one crop a year. Over the course of a year, a field may be planted with various types of crops mixed together or planted in an alternating cycle. The Rejang are not farmers of any one single crop, but a variety.

The father is the head of the home and is responsible for his wife and children. He has to work hard to make a living, and his wife’s job is to help him. The wife is forbidden to work too hard outside the house because this embarrasses the husband. He would be regarded as an irresponsible husband by the community. If the wife lifts a load of a kilogram, the husband should lift a load of at least two kilograms.


What are their beliefs?

Most Rejang profess Islam. However, animism is an integral part of their daily life and beliefs. For example, a spirit called masumai is believed to be able to take the form of a tiger or a man and is the most frightening of all creatures for the Rejang. They believe strongly in the unseen world and a wide variety of unseen spirits with names such as semat, sebei and roh padi (spirit of the rice paddies). They use magic for many purposes: to harm enemies far away, to make ritual oaths in secret places, and to practice divination at holy sites.

Rice paddies and the growing rice crop are considered refined creatures that are as sensitive as a newborn baby. Because of this, women are thought to be better suited for the task of planting or harvesting the crop, with the hope that the harvest will be greater. It is forbidden to whistle or point at things when in the rice fields

What are their needs?

The Rejang area needs improved education. Unemployment is high among them because of low education, and many young people drop out of school to marry at an early age.

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