Java Banyumasan in Indonesia

The Java Banyumasan have only been reported in Indonesia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Jawa Banyumasan live in the southwest part of the province of Central Java, specifically in the regencies of Cilacap, Kebumen, Purworejo, Purbalingga, Banjarnegara and Banyumas. The Jawa Banyumasan is one of the subgroups of the Jawa people groups, but they have their own cultural variations which differ from other Jawa peoples. The Jawa Banyumasan are often called the Jawa Mendhoan or Jawa Serayu. They are called this because one of their best-known foods is mendhoan tempe. This is prepared from tempe (fermented soybean cake) dipped in spiced batter and then fried until half-cooked. The name Serayu is sometimes used because the Serayu river runs through most of their area. They speak the Banyumasan dialect of the Jawa language. It is relatively easy for the Jawa Banyumasan to understand conversations in most other Jawa dialects. Javanese speech levels are like a family tree. The higher you go the more similarity/standardization there is. But the lower you go the more variety. Ngoko is the lowest level and that is where all the variety is. However, other Jawa groups find it difficult to understand the Banyumasan dialect due to the widespread use of specific Banyumasan vocabulary. Their use of 'a' rather than 'o' enables them to learn the national Indonesian language more quickly than other Jawa subgroups.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of the Jawa Banyumasan people make their living from farming, but compared to other Indonesian people groups, they are fairly advanced in this field. Besides having fertile land, they use the land well, even more so now that they have modern equipment. The industrial sector is also experiencing rapid growth. An example of this is the development of Cilacap as an industrial city. Besides heavy industry, small industries are also growing well. Woven bamboo and brown sugar products are a mainstay of small industry. In addition to fulfilling the needs of the Jawa Banyumasan themselves, these commodities are sold in other areas.


Although the majority are Muslim, most are nominal Muslims who also practice animism.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority of the Jawa Banyumasan are Muslim. However, 80% of them are nominal Muslims (abangan). The other 20% are serious Muslims (santri) who strictly follow Islamic teachings and are faithful in worship. In addition, some Jawa Banyumasan also follow animistic beliefs. They believe there are spirits that come from the unseen world. For example, they believe in spirits such as bujungan (shrouded ghosts, shaped like a corpse in burial cloth); jangkrong (shaped like a human skull); and dhemit (spirits that live at shrines). Places that are often considered sacred include graves, mountains, caves and seas. Some of the Jawa Banyumasan still seek help from a dukun (shaman/healer/occultist) if they are sick or bothered by spirits. They often hold ceremonial meals (selamatan) or ritual feasts (kenduri), which include use of mantras and offerings to spirits. The purpose is to protect their area from calamity.


What Are Their Needs?

The Jawa Banyumasan people still need assistance to increase their agricultural production. They need more dams and a better irrigation system could help them harvest more than three times as much per year. The opening of more work opportunities could decrease migration of youth to Cilacap and other cities. Development of new industry is still needed outside the city of Cilacap.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Java Banyumasan in Indonesia.


Profile Source:   IPN, 2011   Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  

People Name General Java Banyumasan
People Name in Country Java Banyumasan
Pronunciation JAH-fa BAHN-yoo-MAH-sahn
Alternate Names Banyumasan; Jawa, Banyumasan
Population this Country 9,274,000
Population all Countries 9,274,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 185
People ID 12331
ROP3 Code 104218
ROP25 Code 303350
ROP25 Name Jawa
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 42  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Widespread throughout Indonesia; mainly in Jawa Tengah, Yogyakarta, Jawa Timur, and Lampung provinces; scattered enclaves on Sumatra island and resettlements in Papua, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Kalimantan.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 42  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Widespread throughout Indonesia; mainly in Jawa Tengah, Yogyakarta, Jawa Timur, and Lampung provinces; scattered enclaves on Sumatra island and resettlements in Papua, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Kalimantan..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Java Banyumasan in Indonesia Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.18 %)
2.50 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
97.50 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Javanese
Language Code jav   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Cirebon
Dialect Code 1157   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Indonesian, Makassar
Primary Language Javanese
Language Code jav   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Cirebon
Dialect Code 1157   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Indonesian, Makassar
People Groups Speaking Javanese

Primary Language:  Javanese

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1852-1991)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1829-1981)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1854-2017)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, complete Bible DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Javanese Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Javanese YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Javanese YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Javanese Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Mufid Majnun - Pixabay 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source IPN, 2011  Copyrighted ©  Used with permission 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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