Short Notes on Kalangs

Short Notes on Kalangs

The Kalangs belonged to Java. They were a community of skilled forest cutters and shifting cultivators.

They were important because without their expertise it was difficult to harvest teak.

Examples:

(i) In 1755 when the Mataram kingdom of Java split, the 6000 Kalang families were equally divided between the two kingdoms.

(ii) When the Dutch gained control of Javanese forests in the 18th century they tried to make the Kalangs’ work under them, to exploit timber of the forest. Though the Kalangs resisted by attacking the Dutch fort at Joava, the uprising was suppressed.