Love and lust in the Indies : an analysis of the representation of njais in a selection of pre-World War II Malay language literature

The dissertation explores how the njai was represented in Malay language literature of the Indies up to the outbreak of World War II. Njais were the native mistresses of foreigners, usually Europeans. They could be required to fulfil many duties: that of housekeepers, cooks, laundry maids, language teachers, financial consultants and mothers, but it is in the role of sexual partners or mistresses that njais are best known. There are many other facets to the meaning of njai that I shall explore more thoroughly later in this chapter.[v. 1. Text] -- [v. 2. Appendices - Plot synopses to Love and lust in the Indes