Betawi people
 |
| Total population |
|---|
| 5 million (2000 census) |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Jakarta: 2.3 million |
| Languages |
| Religion |
| Related ethnic groups |
The Betawi (Orang Betawi, or "people of Batavia") are the descendants of the people living around Batavia (the colonial name for Jakarta) from around the 17th century.[1] The Betawis are mostly descended from various Southeast Asian ethnic groups such as Malay, Sundanese, Javanese, Balinese, Bugis, Makassar, Ambonese, mixed with foreign ethnic groups such as Portuguese, Dutch, Arab, Chinese and Indian brought to or attracted to Batavia to meet labour needs, including people from various parts of Indonesia. They have a culture and language distinct from the surrounding Sundanese and Javanese. The Betawis are known for their music, traditions and food as well as being overtly Islamic, egalitarian, their short temper, directness and their openness to others.
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[edit] Etymology
The name "Betawi" derived from the name "Batavia", the old and colonial name of Jakarta.
[edit] Language
The Betawi language itself is a Malay-based creole language. It is closely related to Malay language, Betawi vocabulary have large amount of Hokkien Chinese, Arabic, and Dutch loanwords. Today Betawi dialect is a popular informal language in Indonesia and used as the base of Indonesian slang.
[edit] Religion
Betawi people are overwhelmingly Muslims. Islamic teachings and traditions are well embedded and alive within their culture and social system. Ulama (also called kyai or haji) hold important position within Betawi society. However, there is a small enclave of Christian Betawi in Tugu area, North Jakarta who are descendants of Portuguese people.
[edit] Artform
The artform of Betawi people demonstrate the various influences experienced by them throughout their history. The Ondel-ondel large bamboo masked-puppet is similar to Chinese, Balinese and Sundanese artform of masked dance. The traditional wedding dress of Betawi display both Chinese influence in bride's costume and Arabian influences in groom's costume. The dances costumes shows Chinese and European influences, while the movements such as Yapong dance is derived from Sundanese Jaipongan dance with a hint of Chinese style. Another dance is Topeng Betawi dance. Betawi people also borrowed Chinese culture of firecrackers during wedding, circumcisions or any celebrative events. The Gambang Kromong and Tanjidor, as well as Keroncong Kemayoran music is derived from the kroncong music of Portuguese Mardijker people of Tugu area, North Jakarta. While the tradition of bringing roti buaya (crocodile bread) during wedding is probably a European custom. Pencak Silat is a popular martial art of Betawi people.
[edit] Cuisine
Betawi people have several popular cuisines, such as soto betawi, soto kaki, nasi uduk, kerak telor, nasi ulam, asinan, ketoprak and gado-gado Betawi.
[edit] Notable Betawi people
- Muhammad Husni Thamrin
- Benyamin Sueb, Indonesian singer and actor.
- Fauzi Bowo, current Governor of Jakarta.
- Ismail Marzuki, Indonesian composer and musician.
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Ondel-Ondel Betawi
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Gambang Kromong
[edit] References
- ^ No Money, No Honey: A study of street traders and prostitutes in Jakarta by Alison Murray. Oxford University Press, 1992. Glossary page xi
[edit] Bibliography
- Castles, Lance The Ethnic Profile of Jakarta, Indonesia vol.I, Ithaca: Cornell University April 1967
- Guinness, Patrick The attitudes and values of Betawi Fringe Dwellers in Djakarta, Berita Antropologi 8 (September), 1972, pp. 78–159
- Knoerr, Jacqueline Im Spannungsfeld von Traditionalität und Modernität: Die Orang Betawi und Betawi-ness in Jakarta, Zeitschrift für Ethnologie 128 (2), 2002, pp. 203–221
- Knoerr, Jacqueline Kreolität und postkoloniale Gesellschaft. Integration und Differenzierung in Jakarta, Frankfurt & New York: Campus Verlag, 2007
- Saidi, Ridwan. Profil Orang Betawi: Asal Muasal, Kebudayaan, dan Adat Istiadatnya
- Shahab, Yasmine (ed.), Betawi dalam Perspektif Kontemporer: Perkembangan, Potensi, dan Tantangannya, Jakarta: LKB, 1997
- Wijaya, Hussein (ed.), Seni Budaya Betawi. Pralokarya Penggalian Dan Pengem¬bangannya, Jakarta: PT Dunia Pustaka Jaya, 1976
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