Santri

[3] In a study by American sociologist Clifford Geertz, the santri are people, particularly in Java, who practice a more orthodox version of Islam, in contrast to the more syncretic abangan.

In contrast, the abangan tend to be from village backgrounds and absorb both Hindu and Muslim elements, forming a culture of animist and folk traditions, it is also claimed that this particular class originated from Sindhi sailors, who had settled in Java.

Initially court officials in pre-colonial kingdoms, the stream moved into the colonial civil service, and then on to administrators of the modern Indonesian republic.

[4] The santri played a key role in Indonesian nationalist movements, and formed the strongest opposition to President Suharto's New Order army-based administration.

[4] In contrast, the priyayi have tended to follow the prevailing political wind; they supported Sukarno's overt nationalism, while during Suharto's subsequent presidency, they loyally voted for his Golkar party.