The Bantenese people (Sundanese: ᮅᮛᮀ ᮘᮔ᮪ᮒᮨᮔ᮪ romanized: Urang Banten) are an indigenous ethnic group native to Banten in the westernmost part of Java island, Indonesia. The area of Banten province corresponds more or less with the area of the former Banten Sultanate, a Bantenese nation state that preceded Indonesia. In his book "The Sultanate of Banten", Guillot Claude writes on page 35: “These estates, owned by the Bantenese of Chinese descent, were concentrated around the village of Kelapadua.” Most of Bantenese are Sunni Muslim. The Bantenese speak the Bantenese language, a variety of the Sundanese language which does not have a general linguistic register, this language is called Basa Sunda Banten (Sundanese language of Banten).
2010 Population Census
According to the 2010 Population Census carried out by the Central Bureau of Statistics Indonesia, the Bantenese people along with the Baduy people are categorized under the Native Bantenese people with a total of 4,657,784 people.
Origins
The origins of the Bantenese people; which are closely related to the Banten Sultanate, are different from the Cirebonese people who are not part of the Sundanese people or the Javanese people (unless it is from the result of a mixture of two major cultures, namely Sundanese and Javanese). The Bantenese and Baduy people (Kanekes) were historically part of the Sundanese, and trace their history to the Banten Sultanate (Bantam Residency area after the abolition and annexation by the Dutch East Indies).
Language
Unlike any other native languages in Java island, the Bantenese language does not have a recognized linguistic register in general, and differs from the Priangan dialect spoken in the Parahyangan region. Due to its Priangan dialect, the Bantenese language somewhat seen as the sister language of Sundanese that is still closely related to the Old Sundanese language.
The Bantenese language is categorized or classified under the Sundanesic language family. This language is predominantly spoken in the southern region of Banten, which are Lebak (including Cilangkahan region), and Pandeglang Regency (including Caringin and Cibaliung). In the northern Serang Regency, this language is used daily by the people of Ciomas, Pabuaran, Padarincang, Cinangka, Baros, Petir, Cikeusal, Kopo, Cikande, Pamarayan and parts of Anyar subdistrict. The Priangan Banten somehow also used by Bantenese transmigrants in Central Lampung Regency, Lampung.
In Serang Regency, Bantenese language is used daily by the people of Anyar, Mancak, Waringinkurung, Taktakan, Cipocok Jaya, Walantaka, as well as Kragilan district. This language also used in some parts of Tangerang Regency, especially in its southern, southwestern, midwest and northern parts, as well as in cities of Tangerang and South Tangerang.
Religion
Those who considered themselves as Bantenese are generally practicing Muslims, which is due to being inseparable from a strong Islamic cultural background. This case is also closely related to the history of Banten Sultanate as one of the largest Islamic kingdom in the island of Java. Besides that, the artistry in Banten region also portrays Islamic activities of its society, such as art Rampak Bedug from Pandeglang Regency. Even so, Banten Province is a multi-ethnic society consisting of various ethnics and religions. Adherents of other faiths from various non-indigenous ethnic groups live alongside each other peacefully in this region, such as the Benteng Chinese community in Tangerang and the Baduy people that practices Sunda Wiwitan in Kanekes, Leuwidamar, Lebak Regency.
Culture
The land of Sunda in Banten is rich in culture and customs, and one of the most dominant is Banten culture and customs which is different from Sundanese culture in West Java.
Art forms
The cultural distinctiveness of the Bantenese community among other is Pencak Silat martial arts, Debus, Rudad, Umbruk, Saman dance (Dzikir Saman), Tari topeng, Dog-dog, Angklung Gubrag, Rampak Bedug, Walijamaliha dance, Silat Pandeglang dance, Palingtung, Lojor, Beluk and so on.
Historical landmarks
In addition, there are also relics of ancestral heritage, and among them are such as the Great Mosque of Banten, the Sacred Long Mausoleum and many more.
Culinary
Bantenese culinary includes Sate Bandeng, Rabeg Banten, Pasung Beureum, Ketan Bintul, Nasi Belut, Kue Cucur, Angeun Lada, Balok Menes, Sate Bebek Cibeber, Emping Menes and others.