Stratification in Malay society
Village headmen (penghulu) and their followers, late 19th century.
From the 15th-century Melaka sultanate until the late 19th century there were two distinct groups in traditional Malay society: an upper stratum of males descended from a member of the ruling group who exercised authority at the central and district levels of the state, including some aspects of religion; and the subjects (rakyat). In modern times, social mobility and bureaucratic government have brought significant changes.
- Information in the full article includes
- The state
- The ruling group
- The rakyat
- Social relationships
- Islam
- Modern developments