"Kampungan" is an Indonesian term that generally refers to someone or something perceived as unsophisticated, lacking refinement, or belonging to a lower social class. Depending on the context, it can carry different shades of meaning, including plebeian–referring to ordinary people, often used dismissively; boorish–describing someone as rude or lacking manners; hick or Hayseed–informal terms for someone perceived as unpolished or from a rural background; rustic–sometimes used to mean simple or unsophisticated, though it can also have a neutral or positive connotation.
The genius of kampungan lies in its lack of definition. It does not follow any fixed criteria, nor does it require justification. It is a word that bends to the will of those who wield it. Want to dismiss someone’s opinion? Kampungan. Disapprove of their fashion choices? Kampungan. Irritated by their success? Kampungan. No matter the situation, this insult is always available to instantly discredit anything and anyone.
At its core, kampungan is not a description—it is a weapon. It is the verbal equivalent of flipping a chessboard when losing a match. The opponent’s argument might be valid, their reasoning sound, their perspective worth considering—but none of that matters. With one swift "You’re kampungan," the discussion is over. No rebuttal needed, no counterpoints required. The opponent is dismissed, their credibility erased, their existence invalidated.
The beauty of this tactic lies in its universal applicability. Consider fashion, for example. Someone wearing a high-end brand? Showoff—kampungan. Wearing a local brand? Unsophisticated—kampungan. Opting for a minimalist style? Too plain—kampungan. Choosing vibrant colours? Too flashy—kampungan. No matter what they wear, there is always a way to condemn it as kampungan.
This logic extends beyond clothing into every aspect of daily life. Drinking coffee? Too basic—kampungan. Drinking tea? Pretentious—kampungan. Using public transportation? Lacking status—kampungan. Using a private car? Trying too hard—kampungan. The world itself becomes a trap, where every choice leads to the same inevitable conclusion.
Social interactions fare no better. Respond to a message too quickly? Too eager—kampungan. Take too long to reply? Too arrogant—kampungan. Have too many friends? Desperate for attention—kampungan. Keep a small circle? Anti-social—kampungan. The parameters are ever-shifting, ensuring that no matter what you do, someone will find a way to label you kampungan.
Even major life milestones are not safe. Buy a house? Showoff—kampungan. Rent an apartment? Not financially stable—kampungan. Start your own business? Too ambitious—kampungan. Stick to a steady job? Not ambitious enough—kampungan. Move to a big city? Pretentious—kampungan. Stay in your hometown? Lacking ambition—kampungan. Somehow, every single decision leads to the same verdict.
Once you begin to notice the kampungan paradox, reality becomes clear: there is no right answer. No path is truly acceptable. No action is truly safe. No opinion is truly valid. The word exists to ensure that those who wield it always have a way to shut down any conversation, to invalidate any experience, and to elevate themselves at the expense of others.
So why fight it? Instead of endlessly attempting to dodge the label, perhaps it is time to embrace the kampungan within you. If everything is kampungan, then nothing is truly kampungan. And if that’s the case, then finally—at long last—you are free.
