Ulu scripts explained

Ulu scripts
Languages:Malay, Bengkulu, Kerinci, Lampung, Rejang, Serawai, and others
Fam1:Proto-Sinaitic alphabet
Fam2:Phoenician alphabet
Fam3:Aramaic alphabet
Fam4:Brāhmī
Fam5:Pallava
Fam6:Old Kawi
Sisters:Balinese
Batak
Baybayin scripts
Javanese
Lontara
Makasar
Old Sundanese
Time:c. 13th–present
Sample:Kerinci Rencong id.png-->
Sample:SuratUluSample.png
Caption:Examples of the Ulu family of scripts: Incung (top), Lampung (middle), and Rejang (bottom)

The Ulu scripts, locally known as Surat Ulu ('upstream script') are a family of writing systems found in central and south Sumatra, in the regions of Kerinci, Bengkulu, Palembang and Lampung, Indonesia. They were used to write manuscripts in Sumatran languages and Malay, such as the Tanjung Tanah Code of Law. The Malay writing was gradually replaced by the Jawi script, a localized version of the Arabic script.

Naming

The terms "surat" and "ulu" are the origin of the name Surat Ulu. While "ulu" ('upstream') refers to the highland region where the rivers in South Sumatra and Bengkulu originate (the Barisan Mountains), "Surat" refers to the script. The user community first referred to this script family as Surat Ulu.[1]

The Rencong script is another well-known naming system. "Rencong" is thought to be derived from the Old Malay word mèncong, which means oblique/not straight.[2] [3] It could also be derived from the word runcing ('sharp'), as this script family was originally written with a sharp knife tip.[4] Regardless of its origin, Western scholars frequently use this term to refer to this family of scripts.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Aksara Kaganga Bengkulu – Kantor Bahasa Provinsi Bengkulu. 26 January 2017 . id-ID. 2021-11-10.
  2. Web site: Carian Umum. prpm.dbp.gov.my. 2021-11-10.
  3. Web site: Hasil Pencarian - KBBI Daring. kbbi.kemdikbud.go.id. 2021-11-10.
  4. Pitri. Nandia. 2019. Batik Incung dan Islam di Kerinci. Jurnal Islamika: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Keislaman. 19. 2. 27–39. 10.32939/islamika.v19i02.450 . 226806123 . free.