The Rejang script is of the Brahmic type, and is related to other scripts of the region, like Batak,Buginese, and Kerinci. Rejang was first written with a script known as Aksaro Riking ("lines by the knife") or Kaganga (from the first three letters).
The Rejang script is classified as belonging to a group of scripts known as Surat Ulu ("upstream scripts"), which includes the Bengkulu, Lembak, Lintang, Lebong, and Serawai scripts. It is widely believed to be evolved from Indic scripts used in Srivijaya Kingdom, a city-state based on Sumatra from 650-1377 AD.
The script was in use prior to the introduction of Islam to the Rejang area; the earliest attested document appears to date from the mid-18th century CE. The Rejang script is sometimes also known as the KaGaNga script following the first three letters of the alphabet.
According to folk tales, the Rejang script was first written with sharp tools including sickle which produces sharp lines. According to other tales, Rejang script is referred to as rikung due to its cornering angles. There are 19 main consonants (buak tu'ai) in Rejang script, changes in vowel sound (tando ketikeak) and 9 doubling consonants (buak ngimbang).
Vowel signs are used in a manner similar to that employed by other Brahmi-derived scripts. Consonants have an inherent /a/ vowel sound. Consonant conjuncts are not formed.
Rejang script
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