BATAVIAN TRIBE

Origin of the Betawi Cultural Variety

Has always been much debate about the origins of diverse cultures who now is in Batavia. Paralleling the debates since when the Betawi exist. Betawi issues such expert Ridwan Saidi revealed that the Betawi people have existed since Neolithic times. While Lance Castle, Dutch historian, says that what is called the Betawi appear until 1930, when the population census carried out. In the previous census, the Betawi are not mentioned. At that time the census was conducted on the basis of ethnic origin or descent.

But apart from that, indeed the emergence of the new Batavia heard nationally at the time of Muhammad Husni Thamrin founded Perkoempoelan Kaoem Betawi.

Betawi ethnic previously only referred to themselves based on locality alone, such as Orang Kemayoran (Kemayoran People), Orang Depok (Depok People) , Orang Condet (Condet People), Orang RawaBelong (RawaBelong People) and so on.

And what about the emergence of cultural diversity in Batavia? On this, can not be denied that started happening when Sunda Kelapa Harbor International Become a crowded visited foreign ships in the 12th century. Then at age 14 to 15, Portuguese has controlled Sunda Kelapa (Sundanese coconut) . They also provide a strong cultural influence at that time.

Solid in 1526, Prince Fatahillah Sunda Kelapa invaded his territory and called Jayakarta name. Since controlled Fatahillah, the city Jayakarta many inhabited by people of Banten, Demak and Cirebon.

Then as Jan Coen Pieterzoon authorize Jayakarta and establish control of Batavia, began to bring Sino-known ethnic who diligent and tenacious work to build the economy of Batavia. Coen also brought many slaves from South Asia and Bali.

Slowly but surely the culture in Batavia at that time more lively, because each ethnic usually also carry and affect the local culture.

Plus most of the slaves or a particular ethnic brought to Batavia was a man. So here they later married local women and breed.

Upon the same time traders from Arabia and India also continued to arrive, by the Dutch in their place Pekojan. The more days the more immigrants from India and Arabia, they finally moved to Condet, Jatinegara, and Tanah Abang. No wonder there are still many people of Arab descent in these areas.

While the descendants of the Portuguese children are placed in the Kampung Tugu, Jakarta Utara.

With the growing ethnic diversity in Betawi, then every ethnic celebrations usually affects every ethnic Betawi. Like fireworks ignition culture, Lenong, Cokek, until the Betawi traditional wedding dress is a red dominated, it was strongly influenced by Tionghoa culture.

Then the ethnic Arab lute music influenced the music in colors and Tanjidor Marawis. Tanjidor itself is a combination of European culture, Chinese, Malays and Arabs. While in the village famous for its cultural monument that keroncong from Portuguese.

thanks to Yayat Suratmo (Kabari Magazine)