"Bule" Indonesian term for Caucasian

Picture of Me and Alex, a British Bule

The Bule

This writing will discuss about you guys, the white people or Caucasian. If the Malaysian calls Caucasian people as "Orang Putih" which literally means the white man, we Indonesian call you in a very different way. Yes, we call you "Bule". It is a complicated way of referring to particular race regarding the original word meaning.

The way the Indonesian and Malaysian treat the Bules is also different. If the Malaysian in big cities are very familiar with Bule, Indonesian in Indonesia will see Bules as cool people. Coz there are very few Bule living in Indonesia, they are only concentrated in tourist destination like Bali.

First, let us discuss about where the term Bule comes from. Bule is actually from the word "Bole", it is a Javanese term that refer to the White Buffalo or the Albino Buffalo. This type of Buffalo can still be seen in the Surakarta Palace or Keraton Solo in Central Java. The people there consider them as the sacred animal that they must pay special respect with some old rituals performed by the Abdi Dalem or the workers of King in the Palace. Coz the Indonesian sees the Caucasian people having similar skin type, which actually not the case, with those "Kebo Bole" (albino buffalo). 

Kebo Bole or Albino Buffalos

I'm not sure when was the first time the white people is called Bule. The weird thing is that, this term might having a shift in meaning from the term that refer to an albino animal to the positive term referring to the Caucasian people. It's not a mock, really. It's actually cool to see Bule to some of Indonesian.

Despite of the lack skills of most Indonesian in English, Indonesian, especially those who live in country side, will be excited to see Bule. Why? because it is like they are seeing those Hollywood actors in the movies. If a Bule visits tourist destination in Indonesia, for example Brorobudur in Central Java, which at the same time also having many local visitors. Some of local young visitors will, for sure, ask the Bule to take picture with her or him. It is like a proof for him or her to be able to take picture with the Bule. They will show the picture at home to their friends with pride. Their friend now believe that He or She could speak in English well, which is very cool to some Indonesian, in order to take picture with the Bule. 

Some Bules enjoying Tea Plantation in Bandung

I did it too when I was in Middle School, where my English was not as fluent as it is right now. Though only a few words like "Hi Mister, can I take a picture with you?" or "Mister-mister, photo please!" took so  much effort to do so. The great thing is, the Bule will be pleased to do so. 

I remember when I went to Jogjakarta with my Turkmen friend, we were at the Parangtritis Beach when some girls came to us and asked my friend to take picture with her. I smiled to myself, I, maybe would do the same thing if I never got to Malaysia for my study and practiced English daily with many of foreign friends. Saying that I'm not that excited anymore with Bule speaking English. Though I still enjoy making friends with them during my traveling.

Me with Cedric and Baron, the Dutch Bules