Osing in Indonesia

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

Introduction / History

The Jawa Osing reside in the Banyuwangi district of the East Java Province and seem to be the original occupants of this eastern-most area of Java. The Jawa Osing are part of the Jawa cluster of peoples, but they have their own cultural variations which differ from other Jawa peoples. Banyuwangi is a transit city for tourists who are en route to Bali. It seems Banyuwangi was the capital city of the Hindu Blambangan Kingdom, which was the last kingdom in Java. The Osing history began at the end of the Majapahit Kingdom in 1478. Civil war and the growth of Islamic Empires, especially the Malacca Sultanate, accelerated the fall of Majapahit Kingdom. After the fall of the Majapahit Kingdom, some of the Majapahit people fled to places such as Mount Bromo (Tengger), Blambangan or Banyuwangi (Osing) and Bali. The Osing speak Ngoko Osing (Osing language). For other people groups of Java, this language is considered old-fashioned and corrupted by the Madura language.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Family, housing, food, as well as social and health patterns of the Jawa Osing are very characteristic of the Jawa culture, but the Bali culture has also influenced them. One example is the Janger dance. This dance has the theme of love and is performed to the rhythm of the two-sided drum (kendang kempul). Their clothing is Jawa in style, but the wigs (sanggul) used resemble those of the Bali people. Many of the Jawa Osing people make their living by farming, raising livestock and trade. In addition, some work as local government officials or private employees. They never experience water shortages because they live on the slopes of the Ijen-Merapi volcano. The Jawa Osing take great care and highly value preserving their relationships with relatives, whether they are near or far. Good relationships with others are also maintained through mutual sharing and giving, as well as trying to understand other people's feelings and abilities. This practice is summarized as tepo seliro, which means not doing something one would not want done to oneself. The Jawa Osing are known as hospitable and well-mannered people. Their culture, which is under government protection, has become popular and interesting to tourists. The government wishes to preserve and utilize the unique beliefs and culture of the people. This has added to the pride the Jawa Osing take in their culture.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Islam became the dominant religion of the Jawa Osing after Hinduism was pushed from their area to Bali. The Kyai (Islamic teacher) has the ultimate authority in matters of religion. The Jawa Osing have many selametan (ritual meals) specific to each occasion, such as: the death of a family member, the cleaning of the village, tilling and harvesting the land, birth, marriage and moving to a new house. Selametan combine a mixture of Jawa and Islamic cultural ceremonies and are thus also done for Islamic holidays. A few of these days are: Suran, Muludan, Ruahan, Punggahan, Rejabatan and Sekaten. The traditional dukun (shaman/healer/occultist) is famous for his ability to apply his black magic from far distances. The Jawa Osing believe that through his magical powers he can heal or destroy whoever or whatever is a cause of problems.


What Are Their Needs?

As farmers and livestock breeders, the Jawa Osing are somewhat limited in their abilities. Because of this, they need to be properly trained in small-scale technology to raise their level of productivity.


Prayer Points

Pray for the gospel to come to this people group soon!


Scripture Prayers for the Osing in Indonesia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Osing
People Name in Country Osing
Alternate Names Banyuwangi; Jawa
Population this Country 348,000
Population all Countries 348,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 7
PeopleID3 10666
ROP3 Code 101020
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 Jawa Timur Province, Banyuwangi regency area, easternmost extent of Java island; facing Bali strait.   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 Jawa Timur Province, Banyuwangi regency area, easternmost extent of Java island; facing Bali strait..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Osing in Indonesia Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.04 %)
2.00 %
Ethnic Religions
3.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
95.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Osing (348,000 speakers)
Language Code osi   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Osing (348,000 speakers)
Language Code osi   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Osing

Primary Language:  Osing

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2015-2017)
Bible-New Testament Yes
Bible-Complete No
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
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Osing Jesus Film Project
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Anonymous  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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