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Old 4th July 2007, 02:06 PM   #8
A. G. Maisey
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Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,716
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Prestige can come from many things, but it has one common characteristic:- it raises ones profile in the target community.

If one were to buy a Ferrari and use it to go to the supermarket, one has a prestige object and is using it gain prestige.

On the other hand, if one were to deny oneself of worldly possessions and comfort, and work tirelessly for the betterment of humanity, one is also placing oneself in a situation where one gains prestige.

The concept of "prestige" in a keris does not necessarily rest in a gold selut studded with diamonds. It can equally rest in a keris that is believed to possess extreme spiritual presence. It can even rest in the rumour of possession of a particular keris.

It is unnecessary to define "which Jawa". The social mores are universal, only their expression differs, and that difference is in superficialities.
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