Java Banyumasan in Indonesia

Joshua Project has identified the Java Banyumasan only in Indonesia







Largest Religion

Main Language


Profile Source: Indonesian Peoples Network, 2011

Introduction / History

The Jawa Banyumasan live in the southwest part of the province of Central Java, specifically in the regencies of Cilacap, Kebumen, Purworejo, Purbalingga, Banjarnegara and Banyumas. The Jawa Banyumasan is one of the subgroups of the Jawa people groups, but they have their own cultural variations which differ from other Jawa peoples. The Jawa Banyumasan are often called the Jawa Mendhoan or Jawa Serayu. They are called this because one of their best-known foods is mendhoan tempe. This is prepared from tempe (fermented soybean cake) dipped in spiced batter and then fried until half-cooked. The name Serayu is sometimes used because the Serayu river runs through most of their area. They speak the Banyumasan dialect of the Jawa language. It is relatively easy for the Jawa Banyumasan to understand conversations in most other Jawa dialects. Javanese speech levels are like a family tree. The higher you go the more similarity/standardization there is. But the lower you go the more variety. Ngoko is the lowest level and that is where all the variety is. However, other Jawa groups find it difficult to understand the Banyumasan dialect due to the widespread use of specific Banyumasan vocabulary. Their use of 'a' rather than 'o' enables them to learn the national Indonesian language more quickly than other Jawa subgroups.

What are Their Lives Like?

Most of the Jawa Banyumasan people make their living from farming, but compared to other Indonesian people groups, they are fairly advanced in this field. Besides having fertile land, they use the land well, even more so now that they have modern equipment. The industrial sector is also experiencing rapid growth. An example of this is the development of Cilacap as an industrial city. Besides heavy industry, small industries are also growing well. Woven bamboo and brown sugar products are a mainstay of small industry. In addition to fulfilling the needs of the Jawa Banyumasan themselves, these commodities are sold in other areas.

What are Their Beliefs?


What are Their Needs?

The Jawa Banyumasan people still need assistance to increase their agricultural production. They need more dams and a better irrigation system could help them harvest more than three times as much per year. The opening of more work opportunities could decrease migration of youth to Cilacap and other cities. Development of new industry is still needed outside the city of Cilacap.

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Country Indonesia
Continent Asia
Region Southeast Asia
10/40 Window No
Location in Country Central Java, east third of west Java, southwest half of east Java. Resettlements in Papua, Sulawesi, Maluku, Kalimantan, and Sumatra
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People Name General Java Banyumasan
People Name in Country Java Banyumasan
ROP3 Code 104218
Joshua Project People ID 12331
Indigenous Yes
Population in Indonesia 8,260,000
Least-Reached Yes
Alternate Names for People Group Banyumasan, Jawa, Banyumasan,
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Javanese: Cirebon Malay, Makassar
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Affinity Bloc Malay Peoples
People Cluster Java
People Name General Java Banyumasan
Ethnic Code MSY44g
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Largest Religion Islam
2.5%    ( Evangelical  1.9% )
Ethnic Religions
Other / Small
Christian Segments
Other Christian
Roman Catholic
Photo Source: Franc Le Blanc
Map Source: IPN - Indonesian People Network Copyrighted ©: Yes
Profile Source:
Data Sources: Data is compiled from various sources. Read more
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