Banten

Banten is the westernmost province on the island of Java, Indonesia. Its capital city is Serang and its largest city is Tangerang. Banten borders West Java and the Special Capital Region of Jakarta to the east, the Java Sea to the north, the Indian Ocean to the south, and the Sunda Strait to the west, which separates Java from the island of Sumatra.

The province covers an area of 9,355.76 km² and had a population of over 11.9 million in the 2020 census, with numbers still growing quickly.

In the past, Banten was part of the Sundanese Tarumanagara kingdom. Later, it was controlled by Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms and then became the Banten Sultanate after the spread of Islam. European traders, including the Dutch East India Company, arrived and took control. After Dutch and Japanese rule, Banten became part of Indonesia. It was separated from West Java to become its own province on 17 October 2000.

Etymology

The name "Banten" might come from a few different places. One idea is from the Sundanese words katiban inten, meaning "struck down by diamonds". This connects to the history of the Bantenese people, who were animists before they followed Buddhism, Hinduism, and later Islam. The spread of Islam in Banten was described as powerful, like being "struck down by diamonds".

Another story says the name comes from the Indonesian Hindu god Batara Guru. He traveled to a place called Surasowan, now Serang, and sat on a glowing stone. The area around him was described as shining like diamonds, using the Sundanese words ban inten, which later became "banten".

A third idea is that "Banten" comes from the Indonesian word bantahan, meaning rebuttal. This refers to how the people of Banten resisted Dutch colonial rule. The name "Banten" was used for a river before the Banten Sultanate was founded. The area has been settled since the 11th and 12th centuries and grew importantly during the 16th century.

History

Early history

During the fifth century, Banten was part of the kingdom of Tarumanagara. An inscription from the fourth century, found in 1947, shows life in the kingdom under the rule of Purnawarman. The kingdom fell after an attack by Srivijaya, and western Java became part of the Sunda Kingdom. Chinese records from around 1225 mention that Srivijaya controlled Sumatra, the Malay peninsula, and western Java during the early 13th century. These records describe the port of Sunda as busy and important, with high-quality pepper coming from there. The people were mainly farmers, and their houses were built on wooden poles. However, robbery was common.

According to a Portuguese explorer, Bantam (Banten) was an important port in the Kingdom of Sunda in the early 16th century, along with several other ports. In 1527, newly-converted Javanese Muslims captured the port of Banten and the area around it from the Sundanese, establishing the Sultanate of Banten. Banten became a center of the sultanate and a major port in Southeast Asia, rivaling Malacca and Makassar. The town of Banten had a river running through it, and there was a fortress with thick brick walls. The town square was used for military activities and folk art, with a market in the morning. The palace was on the south side of the square, and next to it was a tall building where the king met with people. West of the square was the Great Mosque of Banten.

Colonial era

When the Dutch arrived in Indonesia, the Portuguese had already been in Banten for some time. The English also set up a trading post in Banten, followed by the Dutch. The French and the Danish came to trade there as well. In the competition among European traders, the Dutch won out. The Portuguese left Banten in 1601 after the Dutch destroyed their fleet off the coast.

In the 16th century, Chinese ships often traded with places like Jambi, Patani, Siam, and Cambodia. Local Muslim women in places like Palembang and Jambi sometimes married Han Chinese men, and in Banten, local Muslim women also married Han Chinese men. These men usually converted to Islam to please their wives.

Even though the Dutch won the war, they allowed the Banten Sultanate to continue. The sultanate depended on trade and had a monopoly on pepper in Lampung, making the Banten leaders important middlemen. The sultanate grew quickly, becoming a commercial center. As sea trade increased, Banten became a place where people from many different areas lived. With help from the British, Danish, and Chinese, Banten traded with Persia, India, Siam, Vietnam, the Philippines, China, and Japan. The reign of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa was the sultanate's strongest time. Under his rule, Banten had one of the strongest navies in the region, built with help from European shipbuilders, and attracted Europeans to the sultanate. To protect its shipping routes, Banten sent its fleet to Sukadana and took it over in 1661. Banten also tried to avoid pressure from the Dutch East India Company, which had blocked incoming merchant ships.

A power struggle happened around 1680 between Ageng Tirtayasa and his son, Abu Nashar Abdul Qahar. The Dutch took advantage of this disagreement and supported Haji, leading to a civil war. To get support, Haji sent two envoys to meet King Charles II of England in London in 1682 to ask for help and weapons. In the war that followed, Ageng withdrew to Tirtayasa (now Tangerang); on 28 December 1682, the area was taken over by Haji with Dutch help. Ageng and his other sons retreated to the southern Sunda interior. On 14 March 1683, Sultan Ageng was captured and imprisoned in Batavia.

The Dutch continued to chase and suppress Sultan Ageng's followers, led by Prince Purbaya and Sheikh Yusuf. On 5 May 1683, the Dutch sent Lieutenant Untung Surapati and his Balinese troops to help defeat the Pamotan and Dayeuhluhur regions; on 14 December 1683, they captured Sheikh Yusuf. Prince Purbaya surrendered when he was greatly outnumbered. Surapati was ordered to bring Purbaya to Batavia, but a dispute with Dutch forces led to the destruction of those forces; Surapati and his followers then became fugitives from the Dutch.

Lampung was given to the Dutch in 1682 by Sultan Haji as a reward for their support, and a letter from the same year gave the Dutch the monopoly on pepper in the province. The sultanate also had to pay the Dutch for losses caused by the war. After Sultan Haji died in 1687, the Dutch influence in the sultanate grew; appointing a new sultan now required approval from the governor-general in Batavia. Sultan Abu Fadhl Muhammad Yahya ruled for about three years before being replaced by his brother, Pangeran Adipati (Sultan Abul Mahasin Muhammad Zainul Abidin). The civil war in Banten caused instability for the next government, due to anger with the Dutch interference in local matters. Resistance became strong again at the end of the reign of Sultan Abul Fathi Muhammad Syifa Zainul Arifin. The sultan asked the Dutch for help against the rebellion, and Banten became a vassal state of the company in 1752.

In 1808, during the Napoleonic Wars, Governor-general Herman Willem Daendels ordered the building of the Great Post Road to defend Java from British attack. Daendels ordered the sultan of Banten to move his capital to Anyer and provide workers to build a port in Ujung Kulon. The sultan refused Daendels' order, and Daendels attacked Banten and destroyed Surosowan Palace. The sultan and his family were held in the palace before being imprisoned in Fort Speelwijk. Sultan Abul Nashar Muhammad Ishaq Zainulmutaqin was then sent away to Batavia. On 22 November 1808, Daendels announced from his Serang headquarters that the sultanate had been taken over by the Dutch East Indies. The sultanate was finally ended in 1813 by the British after they invaded Java. That year, Sultan Muhammad bin Muhammad Muhyiddin Zainussalihin was disarmed and forced to give up his position by Thomas Stamford Raffles; this marked the end of the sultanate. After the British gave Java back to the Dutch in 1814 as part of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814, Banten became a residentie (residency) of the Dutch East Indies.

Japanese occupation and independence

The Empire of Japan invaded the East Indies and took over Banten in March 1942, after driving out the Dutch. During their three years of control, the Japanese built a railway in southern Lebak to move brown coal from the Bayah mines. The project used about 1,000 local forced workers and a few Dutch engineers and technicians, supervised by the Japanese. The workers came from Central and East Java, and the railway workers were mainly from Banten. The building of the railway took a lot of effort over 14 months. Conditions were very hard because of not enough food, no medical care, and the hot climate. Many people did not survive.

After Japan surrendered in August 1945, the Dutch East Indies declared independence as the Republic of Indonesia. This was not accepted by the Dutch when they returned, leading to the Indonesian war of independence. During the war, Banten stayed with Indonesia. Although it was somewhat independent during the time of the self-proclaimed Tangerang Republic. On 26 February 1948, the State of West Java was created; on 24 April 1948, it was renamed Pasundan. Pasundan became a federal state of the United States of Indonesia in 1949, and was joined with the Republic of Indonesia on 11 March 1950.

After Indonesia gained independence, Banten was part of the province of West Java. Feelings of wanting to separate led to the creation of the province of Banten on October 17, 2000.

Geography

Banten is a province on the western part of Java, Indonesia. It is located between certain latitudes and longitudes and covers an area of 9,355.76 km².

The area is close to important sea routes and connects Java with Sumatra. It has many industries and busy seaports that help move goods. Banten is also rich in marine resources, with many islands just off its coast.

The land in Banten varies from sea level up to 2,000 meters. Most of the northern and southern areas are lowlands, while the central and eastern parts have hills and mountains. The landscape includes both flat areas and steep slopes.

Banten's weather changes with the seasons. It experiences rainy and dry periods, with temperatures ranging from warm on the coast to cooler in the mountains. Rainfall amounts vary across different parts of the province throughout the year.

Government and administrative divisions

Banten is led by a Governor and Vice Governor, along with a group of elected representatives. The province includes four areas called regencies and four cities. These areas are divided into smaller parts called districts, which are then split into villages.

Banten has three special areas for choosing national representatives. Each of these areas picks members to join a big group that helps make decisions for the whole country.

Regency capitals

In 1993, Tangerang became a city and was no longer the main town of its area. The main town changed to Cipasera.

In 1999, Cilegon became a city and was no longer the main town of its area. The main town changed to Serang.

In 2007, Serang became a city and was no longer the main town of its area. The main town changed to Ciruas.

In 2008, South Tangerang became a city and was no longer the main town of its area. The main town changed to Tigaraksa.

Demographics

See also: Bantenese people

In 2006, Banten had a population of about 9.4 million people, making it Indonesia's fifth-most-populous province. By 2022, this number had grown to around 12.3 million.

Ethnic groups

Ethnic groups in Banten

1. Sundanese (63.4%)
2. Javanese (16.0%)
3. Betawi (12.9%)
4. Others (7.66%)

The Bantenese people are the largest group, making up about 47% of the population. They mainly live in central and southern Banten. The Bantenese have their own culture and language, which developed from the old Banten Sultanate. Most people in northern Banten are Javanese, many of whom moved there from other parts of Java. The Betawi people live around greater Jakarta, including Tangerang. You can also find Chinese Indonesians in cities.

Languages

The main language in Banten is Sundanese. People there speak a special kind of Sundanese that is a bit different from the usual form. In some areas, you’ll hear Bantenese, Javanese, or Betawi, depending on where you are. Indonesian is spoken by many, especially in cities. The Baduy people have their own language, which is an old form of Sundanese.

Religion

Most people in Banten are Muslim, and the area was once home to a big Islamic kingdom. There are also other groups, like the Benteng Chinese in Tangerang and the Baduy people, who follow their own beliefs called Sunda Wiwitan. Long ago, the area was influenced by Hindu- and Buddhist kingdoms before Islam spread there.

Culture

Banten's culture is a mix of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. It includes the pencak silat martial arts, the Saman dance, and Palingtung.

The Baduy people live in central and southern Banten. The Inner Baduy tribes follow a traditional way of life, while the Outer Baduy tribes are more open to change.

Weapons

The golok, similar to a machete, is Banten's traditional weapon. It is now used in martial arts. The Baduy people use goloks for farming and hunting. Other traditional weapons include the kujang, kris, spear, sledgehammer, machete, sword, and bow and arrow.

Traditional housing

Traditional housing in Banten has thatched roofing and floors made of split and pounded bamboo. This type of house is still found in areas where the Kanekes and Baduy peoples live.

Clothing

Bantenese men traditionally wear closed-neck shirts and trousers belted with batik, sometimes with a golok tucked into the belt. Bantenese women traditionally wear a kebaya, decorated with a hand-crafted brooch at the waist. Hair is tied into a bun and decorated with a flower.

Islamic architecture

Three-level mosque architecture represents beauty and law.

Pencak silat

Pencak silat is a group of martial arts from Indonesian culture. It began to be recorded when it was influenced by religious teachers during the spread of Islam in the 15th century. Martial arts were taught with religious studies in Islamic boarding schools. Religion and pencak silat became connected. Silat evolved from folk dancing and became part of the region's defense against invaders.

Banten is known for its skilled warriors. Debus is a Bantenese martial art that developed in the 16th century.

Tourism

Banten is a popular place for visitors, especially people from Jakarta and West Java, including Bogor. The area near the west coast of Java has beautiful spots like Carita Beach and Sawarna, along with lovely islands such as Umang and Sangiang. You can also learn about the unique Baduy people, who still follow their old traditions, and see the rare Javan rhinoceros in Ujung Kulon National Park, a special place recognized worldwide.

Other interesting sites include the Great Mosque of Banten, the Old Banten Museum, and the Multatuli Museum. Tanjung Lesung Beach, located in Pandeglang Regency, is a big area with lots of natural beauty. Nearby, Pulau Dua is a small place with colorful coral and many birds that visit each year.

Transport

Banten is located in western Java. In 2006, the province had many roads for people to travel on. Some roads were in good shape, some were okay, and a few were not so great. The roads that connect different parts of Banten had less traffic than the main roads.

Trains used to be a common way to travel in Banten, but now there are fewer trains. Some train tracks were still working in 2005, and there were special trains that go to Soekarno–Hatta Airport and other places. New train lines are planned to be built soon.

Soekarno–Hatta International Airport is the biggest airport in Indonesia and helps many people travel in and out of the country. There are also smaller airports in Banten for different kinds of flights.

Economy

Banten's economy in 2022 had different parts. Agriculture made up 5.09%, manufacturing was the biggest at 30.5%, other industry was 14.6%, and services were 49.9%.

In 2006, Banten had about 9.35 million people. Most jobs were in industry (23.11%), agriculture (21.14%), trade (20.84%), and transportation and communication (9.5%). The northern part of Banten is more developed than the southern part.

Banten is located between Java and Sumatra. Most investment happens in Tangerang, South Tangerang, and the northern area because of good infrastructure and its closeness to Jakarta. The south, like Pandeglang and Lebak, has less infrastructure. Development plans focus more on growth in these northern areas.

Cuisine

Banten has many tasty foods. One popular dish is called rabeg, which is similar to a special soup made from goat or curry. It comes from Serang Regency and was brought there by traders from the Arabian Peninsula long ago.

Other yummy foods from Banten include nasi sumsum (white rice with buffalo-bone marrow), mahbub, milkfish, duck satays, duck soup, laksa from Tangerang, rice vermicelli, beef jerky, and emping.

Sports

Football

Banten has several football clubs, each representing different areas of the province. Two clubs, Persita Tangerang and Dewa United, play in the top league, Liga 1, and both use Indomilk Arena in Tangerang regency as their home field. Other clubs like Persikota Tangerang, Persic Cilegon, and Perserang Serang compete in lower leagues, with home games at Benteng Stadium, Krakatau Steel Stadium, and Maulana Yusuf Stadium, respectively.

Motorsports

In 2009, a race track called the Lippo Village International Formula Circuit was built hoping to host an international race series. However, the series did not happen, and the track was later taken apart to make space for expansion. A new street circuit, the BSD City Grand Prix, was created in BSD City for local racing events.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms of Banten shows a shield with many important symbols. There is a dome from a mosque, a tower from a big mosque, and a gate called Kaibon. There are also rice stalks, cotton flowers, a mountain, the sea, a gearwheel, runway lines, a ribbon, and a Javan rhinoceros. The motto is IMAN TAQWA.

Each symbol has a meaning. The mosque dome shows that the people of Banten care about their beliefs. The star stands for belief in one God. The tower means having a strong spirit guided by God. The gate shows that Banten is a place where people from around the world come. The rice and cotton represent Banten’s farming and enough food and clothes. The numbers 17, 8, and 45 remember when Indonesia declared its independence. The mountain stands for Banten’s natural riches. The rhinoceros shows the people’s strength and protection by the law. The sea with waves means Banten’s wealth from the ocean. The gearwheel stands for development and industry. The runway lines are for Soekarno–Hatta International Airport. The ribbon means the unity of the people of Banten.

The colors also have meanings: red for bravery, white for purity, yellow for glory, black for strength, grey for resilience, blue for peace, green for fertility, and brown for prosperity. The motto IMAN TAQWA means faith and piety, guiding Banten to be independent, advanced, and prosperous.