Javanese in Indonesia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

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.


What Are Their Lives Like?

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.


What Are Their Beliefs?

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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Javanese have a strong Islamic background which closes their minds to salvation based on the blood of the only savior.


Prayer Points

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.


References

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 17,757,000
Population all Countries 18,673,000
Total Countries 9
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 17000
ROP3 Code 112316
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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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

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
Indonesian, Makassar
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
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
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 Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Javanese YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kitab Suci Masan General / Other
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 Anonymous 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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