The Samin movement

Abstract

"One can make changes in the social order, one can meet grievances of an economic nature, ... but if the Samin movement actually rests on a peculiar mental attitude of its adherents, then agrarian, economic or legislative reforms may achieve something, but not much. Under no circumstances would such reforms be able to deprive the movement of its vital core. If this be the case, then we should realize that there's actually very little that we can do, short of providing good education, and then wait and see what influence such education may have." (From a memorandum written by W. de Keizer, Adjunct-Inspector of Agrarian Affairs and Compulsory Services, Weltevreden, August 27, 1919)."The much-discussed Saminist community has now, in the era of independence, started to behave normally just like other folk. Those who had up to now not wanted to understand the changing times in order to progress have now started to participate fully in the development of society. Their new understanding is the result of information which the government has brought to them, and as a result there is today no single Saminist misbehaving as they used to in the former colonial era... Those illiterate among them are starting to want to learn, and while they did not previously permit their children to enter school, they are now anxious to send them..."