 Sundanese
A province of their own
The Sundanese share the island of Java with two other Malayan peoples: the Javanese and the Madurese. Sundanese primarily live in their home province in western Java, the Javanese are in the central portion and the Madurese inhabit the eastern part.
The Sundanese might live on the geographical island of Java, but they consider themselves a distinct cultural island called Sunda. Someone moving from West Java to central or East Java, is literally said to be moving from Sunda to Java. West Java is at the economic, political and international hub of the nations, since it surrounds the national capital of Jakarta. Several key universities are also located in this province.
Although a large number of the Sundanese live in crowded urban centers such as Bandung, 75 to 80 percent of them live in rural areas.
The western portion of Java is the area that the Dutch, after gaining control in the 1600s and 1700s, planted massive tea and coffee plantations and forced the Sendanese farmers to work these plantations. A distinctive blend of coffee called "java" came from these plantations in west Java.
Ancient art
Elaborate wooden puppets are used by the Sundanese to tell the epic play "The Ramayana" and various other morality-type plays. Accompanying "The Ramayana" is an orchestra called gamelan. The gamelan uses a five-note scale as opposed to the seven-note western scale.
The Sundanese are also known for musical instruments called angklungs, which consist of a frame upon which hang two different lengths of hollow bamboo. Angklungs are played like handbells, with each instrument played to a different note.
Resistant to the gospel
The Sundanese are staunch Muslims while still maintaining strong elements of an ancient mystical belief system. Two common Sundanese sayings illustrate their combined beliefs: "To be Sundanese is to be Muslim;" and "Religion comes from the sea (the import of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam from various invaders and visitors), while true spiritutal/cultural tradition comes from the mountain (their own heartland)."
The Sundanese are very resistant to the gospel, due in part to the terrible treatment they received during the hundreds of years of Dutch colonization. Christianity is seen to be the religion of these Dutch.
The Bible, the "JESUS" film and various other Christian materials are available both in the national language as well as in the Sundanese language. Some Indonesian Christians are beginning to focus on the Sundanese and have started a few small congregations.
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Population: |
+/- 31 million |
| Religion: |
Orthodox Sunni Muslims; folk Islam |
| Language: |
Sundanese; Indonesian national language |
| Geographical location/s: |
Indonesia, primarily in the mountainous regions of West Java, as well as in Lampung province on the Indonesian island of Sumatra and Indonesia's capital city of Jakarta. |
| The Sundanese are one of the largest unreached people groups in the world. |
Profile: the Badui
Living in an isolated part of West Java is a small, unreached people group called the Badui. They are considered a proto-type Sundanese and remain isolated from all foreigners and most Indonesians.
The Badui prefer to use the simple technoogy of centuries ago rather than accept simple technological advancements. Known as "the healers of the nation," it is said they are the mst powerful mystics and seers in the country.
Resource Note:
A flier and documentary video on CBF missions among the Sundanese people are available. To order, call toll-free at (888) 801-4CBF (4223).
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