A father would hire a Gowok to teach his teenage son the realities of married life.

The term "Nyai" in colonial Dutch East Indies literature typically refers to a native concubine of a European master. These stories contain a potent mix of: forbidden romance, cultural betrayal, revenge, and erotic tension. Unlike Western erotica, Nyai stories focus heavily on the consequences of passion—poverty, death, and social ruin.

Contrary to modern misconceptions that reduce the practice to prostitution, the Gowok was traditionally held in high regard. She was seen as a vital educator who prevented marital dissatisfaction and divorce. Nyai Gowok in Indonesian Literature