They set up the pondok for the new migrants from their district or village. The migrants took on various jobs as gardeners, horse-carriage drivers and syces with assistance of those who had already settled in
The pondok was a social institution that helped the Baweanese to cope with life in a foreign land. It was based on the principle of mutual help and on strict sanctions to uphold the honour of the institution.
Pondoks were shophouses. Married couples used the bedrooms upstairs while singles and children slept downstairs on wooden platforms. Every couple had its own stove and when a misunderstanding arose the head of the pondok (pak lurah) would settle it. Meals were generally prepared by their kinsmen and the partakers paid for them. Rentals were paid to the head or his assistant. Even Government fines imposed on individuals were met by the pondok. Punishment was meted out to members who threatened other families; the pondok members would decide the punishment even expelling the member.
By 1860 there were about 3000 Javanese and Baweanese in
Mr Samuel writes for Streetdirectory Editorial Team. Streetdirectory.com is the number 1 travel guide in Singapore and manage by Robert J Steiner. RJS also mange FlowerAdvisor.com.sg, a Singapore Florist website specializing in both local & international flower & gifts deliveries. We have Flowers, Roses, Hampers, Gifts, Get Well Gift Baskets & many more for Singapore and International Delivery.
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