Salina Christmas

Also known as kshatriya, it’s one of the four varna of Hindu society associated with the warrior caste. This caste evolved from a group of people assigned to protect the cowherd that belonged to a tribe, hence the term “the keepers of the herd”. Traditionally, only kings and princes are of this caste because they kill to protect their people. Brahmins, the highest of the varna, are of the priestly group and abstain from violence. Because of their role, in the past kesatriya folks were the only ones allowed to drink and consume meat. In today’s Islamised Malay Archipelago, this caste could still be seen in their descendants who belong to noble clans that form the Sultanates, or royal houses or keratons, throughout Southeast Asia.