kyai

plural kyais

1. A Javanese Islamic cleric or expert on Islam.

   It was there that the kyai finally pulled down the cloth, slowly, bracing himself for the shock.

   2015, Eka Kurniawan, translated by Labodalih Sembiring, Man Tiger, Verso, page 19

   1 more example

   That the santri live in a boarding school where they are being supervised around the clock enhances the power of the kyai.

   2012, Charlene Tan, Islamic Education and Indoctrination: The Case in Indonesia, page 56