Native Indonesians

Native Indonesians are also known as Pribumi, literally meaning "sons of the soil", is a term that refers to a population group in Indonesia that shares a similar sociocultural heritage. Translated from inlander in Dutch, the term was first coined by the Dutch colonial administration to lump diverse groups of local inhabitants of Indonesia's archipelago, mostly for social discrimination purposes. During the colonial period, the Dutch instilled a regime of three-level racial separation; the first class race being Europeans, the second class race being the "Foreign Orientals" (Vreemde Oosterlingen) which includes Chinese, Arabs, and Indians, the third class race being the "Inlander" or natives. The system was very similar to South Africa's apartheid, which prohibited inter-racial neighborhoods (wet van wijkenstelsel) and inter-racial interactions were limited by "passenstelsel" laws.

Pribumi makes up about 95% of Indonesian population.Using Indonesia’s population estimate in 2006, the mix translates to about 230 million people. As an umbrella of similar cultural heritage among about hnic groups in Indonesia, Pribumi culture plays a significant role in shaping the country’s socioeconomic condition.

The United States Library of Congress defines Pribumi as:

There are over 300 ethnic groups in Indonesia.Kuoni - Far East, A world of difference. Page 88....
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