Banten Province

BANTEN PROVINCE

In Banten, there have the ancestor’s inheritance that is very honor such as Banten exalted Mosque, Panjang sacred graved, Al-Azhom greater Mosque and some of other history inheritance that has religious nuance. This history background makes Banten citizens majority have a spirit religious of Islam that is very strong with high tolerance. A big part of citizen is indeed Islam follower but other religion follower can life together with peace. In some of measure, Banten can become one of example for giant Pluralism religion laboratory in Indonesia .

Banten’s people social culture condition is colored by people potential and special culture which has very kind of variations, begin with art self-defense Pencak Silat, Debus, Rudat, umbruk, saman dance, topeng dance, cokek dance, dog-dog, palingtung and lojor. Almost all of traditional art are more colored by Islam ethnics. There are also have traditional art which come from outside Banten, but all of that has had acculturations culture process so it is impression as Banten’s traditional art for example; Kuda Lumping art, Tayuban, Gambang, Kromang and Cokek dance. The language that is used by Banten’s people especially in North area is Java Serang language, while in South is Sunda language. However, generally the people around there are more often using Indonesia language.

Banten provinces also famous with their traditional people who are staying firm in customs and traditions, in the way their costume or other life form. They know by Baduy tribe which is staying in kanekes village, leuwi damar district, lebak regent house. Baduy’s people generally locate in rivulet of Ciujung river area in Kendeng mountain range.

South Banten about 65 km in south of capital city of Banten province. The government determines the Kendang mountain range culture guarantee for about 5.101.85 ha in Kenekes as the place fr their live. This are as known as entrusted area from their ancestor which have to take care and awake with well. It cannot be destroyed and acknowledged by private own. This tribe has high and famous culture so it makes Banten as Tour Primadonna for domestic and foreign countries with nature tour or science research activity.

Although art in Banten has many various art, debus is the most popular art. This art is made in 16th century under Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin administration (1532-1570). Sunan Gunung Jati that is one of Cirebon Sultanete organizer in 1520 introduces Islam. In his peace expedition together with conquer of Sunda Kelapa. Then, when Banten’s power is in Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa (1651-1682), debus is focused as tools to get up the spirit of warriors to fight the Dutch’s colonization. Moreover, in his administration, there are tensions with new comers from Europe , especially Dutch’s trader who joined in Vereenigde Oost Indische (VOC).