Witte Societeit in Medan, 1900's

Photo: Carl Josef Kleingrothe/National Gallery of Australia

Humans are social creatures, since long ago the need to socialize has existed and can be seen from the various buildings that facilitate it. But in addition to the need to socialize, humans also have a need for exclusivity. Rich people and high-ranking officers prefer to associate with their own community and open networks to wealth and other opportunities.

The photo above is of the Witte Societeit building in Medan in the early 20th century. Witte Societeit became a gathering place for gardeners and government officials of its time. Like the Societeit de Harmonie in Batavia and other cities. Societeit is a kind of clubhouse where people gather and mingle. Equipped with various facilities such as a bar, pool table, playing card table and so on. Only the elite can enter here.

Moreover, in a racist colonial society, social segregation was very strongly felt. Apart from economic segregation, racial segregation also occurred. If a native was not a very rich person or had a high-class position, don't even dream of getting into it.