Rejang

Rejang refers to an indigenous ethnic group native to Bengkulu Province and surrounding areas on the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The Rejang people have distinct linguistic and cultural traditions and are one of the many communities that form the diverse social landscape of Sumatra. Their traditional economy has centered on agriculture, including rice cultivation, along with forestry and other local livelihoods, though modern urbanization has broadened occupational options.

The Rejang language is an Austronesian language spoken by the Rejang people, with several regional dialects. It forms a linguistic continuum within the broader linguistic landscape of western Sumatra and is typically transmitted through generations within communities. In daily life, many Rejang speakers also use Indonesian (the national language) for education, media, and official communication.

Aksara Rejang, or the Rejang script, is a Brahmic-derived writing system historically used to write the Rejang language and, in some periods, other local languages. It is an abugida, with consonant-vowel features encoded through diacritics and modifications to base letters. The script is traditionally written on palm leaves and carved in stone or wood. After a period of decline in the 20th century, there are ongoing revival and preservation efforts by scholars, cultural organizations, and community groups to maintain manuscripts, signage, and educational materials in Rejang script.

Today, Rejang communities maintain their cultural heritage while integrating into broader Indonesian society. The script and language remain important markers of identity, and efforts continue to document and revitalize traditional practices, stories, and crafts.