The Javanese ('people of Java', also known as 'Javanese') migrated from Central Java, Indonesia, to Malaysia from 1880 to 1930. They migrated to seek a new life away from the Dutch colonists who ruled Indonesia at that time. Today the Javanese live throughout Peninsular Malaysia in parts of Perak, Selangor, and Kedah. There are also isolated communities in coastal areas of Sabah. Some Javanese have even gained influential positions in society. The Chief Minister of Selangor traces his roots back to Javanese ancestors.
The Javanese language is being spoken less and less among today's younger Javanese. Most of them have either never learned it or cannot remember how to speak it. That is especially true in Indonesia where there is a national language.
In the past their parents were farmers, construction workers and timber workers. Now they also work as bankers, pilots, engineers, accountants and politicians. They are known to be efficient and industrious. Some Javanese in Selangor work as Islamic religious teachers.
In some villages, the Javanese maintain their identity and traditions. People from other Malay people groups who marry into a Javanese family sometimes call themselves Orang Jawa, or Jawa Peranakan. Apart from growing their own vegetables and raising poultry, some villagers have also started their own tourism programs to promote the Javanese way of life.
The Javanese are a very hospitable people, usually inviting visitors to share a meal with the family. Families are often quite large, some having between 10 and 17 children.
Marriages are grand affairs that sometimes last up to three days. Wedding guests often give love gifts to the couple. As the Javanese have become more successful materially, their desire to recover their cultural Javanese roots has increased.
The Javanese are predominantly Sunni Muslims. During weddings and circumcision rituals they perform the jedur (songs of praise to the prophet Mohammed) which is compiled in a book called Silawatan. They also perform the kempling (a type of dance giving praise to Allah) during religious occasions. During the performance, they use a tool made from lamb's wool and wood. Someone reads from the Koran before and after the dance, and it takes a group of between ten to twenty people to perform this dance. The kempling performance is an opportunity for the Javanese to get together to build ethnic solidarity and unity. It is also a time for discussing the challenges faced by the villages.
The Javanese have a strong Islamic background which closes their minds to salvation based on the blood of the only savior.
Pray that communication bridges into their culture could be used to meet the spiritual needs. Pray that the lives of committed believers will be a positive influence and could bring about good relationships with Javanese people.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to speak to the hearts of Muslim Javanese elders.
Pray for Javanese family leaders to have dreams and visions of the risen and victorious Christ.
Scripture Prayers for the Javanese in Indonesia.
Southeast Asia Link – SEALINK, Copyrighted © Used with permission
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Javanese |
People Name in Country | Javanese |
Pronunciation |
jah-vah-NEEZ
|
Alternate Names | Jawa; Orang Jawa; जावेनीस |
Population this Country | 17,613,000 |
Population all Countries | 18,521,000 |
Total Countries | 9 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 4 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 17000 |
ROP3 Code | 112316 |
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 |
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Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
2.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 9.44 %) |
19.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
12.00 %
|
Hinduism |
3.00 %
|
Islam |
64.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Javanese | |||
Language Code | jav Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 2 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Javanese |
Language Code | jav Ethnologue 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 |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |