The Rencong script, locally known as Surat Ulu ('upstream script'), is a writing system found in central and south Sumatra, in the regions of Kerinci, Bengkulu, Palembang and Lampung, Indonesia.[1] The script lasted until the 18th century, when the Dutch colonized Indonesia. It was used to write manuscripts in Sumatran languages and Malay, such as the Tanjung Tanah Code of Law. The Malay writing was gradually replaced by the Jawi script, a localized version of the Arabic script.

Rencong Surat Ulu
Script type	Abugida
Time period	c. 13th–present
Direction	left-to-right
Languages	Malay, Besemah, Kerinci, Lampung, Rejang, Serawai, and others
Related scripts
Parent systems	Proto-Sinaitic alphabet[a] Phoenician alphabet[a] Aramaic alphabet[a] Brāhmī Pallava Old Kawi Rencong
Child systems	Rejang, Lampung, Kerinci, Serawai
Sister systems	Balinese Batak Baybayin scripts Javanese Lontara Makasar Old Sundanese
[a] The Semitic origin of the Brahmic scripts is not universally agreed upon.
This article contains phonetic transcriptions in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, see Help:IPA. For the distinction between [ ], / / and ⟨ ⟩, see IPA § Brackets and transcription delimiters.

Rencong script was often written on tree bark, bamboo, horns and palmyra-palm leaves. Many of the Rencong alphabets are also known as "Surat Ulu", or "upriver scripts", given their prevalence away from a coastline.

The term "Rencong" is often confused with "Rejang", which refers to a specific Rencong alphabet that was used to write various dialects of the Rejang language and for writing Malay in the region.

This map below shows the distribution of various Rencong alphabets in South Sumatra:

Unicode

Following are the code points for the letters of the Rencong script:

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rencong alphabet.

• Rejang alphabet
• Lampung alphabet

References

External links

• https://www.unicode.org/L2/L2021/21116-surat-ulu.pdf