Java Banten in Indonesia

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

Introduction / History

When Indonesians hear "Banten", they often think of the mystical arts. The Banten are basically Sunda who have had a different identity since the time of the establishment of the Banten Kingdom, which broke off from the Padjajaran Kingdom of West Java. The Banten live in Banten Province in the southwest of the island of Java. Currently, most Banten live in the regencies of Pandeglang, Serang, Lebak and western Tangerang, as well as the cities of Cilegon and Serang. The Banten speak a dialect of the Sunda language. This dialect is regarded as less polite and less sophisticated compared to the dialect spoken by Sunda living in West Java.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Banten grow rice and other crops such as coffee, cloves, beans, bananas and durian (a stinky fruit with a thick, spiky shell). Cooperative groups work the land. One type of group is the royongan; in the royongan workers are not paid directly. Instead, their wages are pooled and saved by the community elder to be used for the repair of the mosque and Muslim prayer houses. Another form of coooperative work is called liliuran, which is helping one another work the rice field without any expectation of payment. Cooperative work arrangements are also used for repairing roads, bridges and other public facilities. This cooperative work is required of all. For example, in Tanjung Sari village, a household head who does not participate is assessed a fine. The Banten leadership is composed of three elements: formal leaders (umaroh), Muslim religious leaders (ulama) and leaders of the traditions and culture (jawara). These three groups play an important role in forming the local political system. The village's kinship relationships are cultivated and developed by the village leaders, who are very respected and honored. Other village matters are handled by the leaders who take care of matters related to administration, irrigation, logistics and religion. Ancient Banten is still of great interest, particularly for historians and archaeologists. Banten is one of the famed kingdoms of the past. In the Banten area there are many tourist attractions, beginning with a nature preserve and including the great Mosque of Banten, where the tombs of Banten's sultans are placed at the south and north of the mosque. Reportedly there is a nine-story rock, with a height of 15 meters, that is a relic from the Megalithic Era. As a tourism area, Banten is open to the outside world, but their traditions and culture are still protected.


What Are Their Beliefs?

From the 15th century establishment of the Sultanate of Banten until today, the majority of the Banten have been Muslims. They are faithful Muslims, but still practice black magic and occult power. This can be seen in the famous art of Banten known as debus; using certain mantras the body of a practitioner can be made invulnerable to physical blows, fire and sharp objects. Many people from different regions of Indonesian come to Banten to learn these spells or to ask for help. The Banten are known as people who have great occult knowledge.


What Are Their Needs?

Most Banten make their living as farmers or merchants. In both cases, they need to be prepared to face stiff competition in this modern era. They need better educational facilities, as well as joint business ventures with outside companies to achieve a higher level of competitiveness. Additionally, the Banten living in remote areas such as Panjang Island in Banten Bay need development to overcome poverty.


Prayer Points

Pray for a spiritual hunger that will drive the Banten people to the foot of the cross.
Pray for loving and dedicated workers.
Pray for Banten disciples to make more disciples.
Profile Source: IPN, 2011, Copyrighted © Used with permission .


Scripture Prayers for the Java Banten in Indonesia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Java Banten
People Name in Country Java Banten
Alternate Names
Population this Country 325,000
Population all Countries 325,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 6
People ID 10661
ROP3 Code 101015
ROP25 Code 309266
ROP25 Name Tai Taroi
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 Banten in Indonesia Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.98 %)
1.90 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
98.10 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Javanese (325,000 speakers)
Language Code jav   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Banten
Dialect Code 11119   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Javanese (325,000 speakers)
Language Code jav   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Banten
Dialect Code 11119   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
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 Copyrighted © 2024  Kiki Nasution - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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