Snouck published his insights into Javanese society in 1891 in the newspaper De Locomotief under the title ‘Brieven van een wedono-pensioen’ [Letters from a wedono pension]. The description of the family life of Sundanese and Javanese people, from the birth and upbringing of children to religion, marriage and death, was the common thread of the letters. But Snouck also warned the Dutch not to undermine the position of the regents and other indigenous chiefs. If the colonial administration wanted to gain the trust and respect of the population through these chiefs, it had to reduce its attempts to make them semi-European and let them keep their authority and prestige intact.
Charles & Van Es & Co, C. Snouck Hurgronje, circa 1890, collection of Snouck Hurgronje's descendants in Indonesia, Bandung