Bawean people

Baweans
Orèng Bawean
The portrait of native Bawean woman from side-angle .
Regions with significant populations
 Indonesia (Bawean Island)
 Malaysia
 Singapore
Languages
Religion
Related ethnic groups
The location of Bawean Islands in the Java Sea.

The Bawean, or Baweans, or also Baweanese, also called Bawean Madurese (Madurese: Ḅâbean, Ḅâbian, or Ḅâbinian) are an ethnic group native to the island of Bawean, located in the Java Sea off the coast of Java, Indonesia. They are considered a distinct ethnic group within the larger Javanese cultural sphere. The Bawean people have their own unique language, also called Bawean, which belongs to the Austronesian language family.

Historically the Bawean Island was a trading post and a hub for maritime activities, which brought influences from various cultures such as Javanese, Madurese, Banjarese, Makassarese, Chinese, and Arab. As a result, the Bawean people have a rich cultural heritage that blends elements from these diverse influences.[3]

Most Bawean people are Muslims, and Islamic traditions and values play a significant role in their daily lives. They have a close-knit community structure and maintain strong cultural and social ties. Traditionally, the Bawean people have been involved in various occupations, including agriculture, fishing, and maritime trade.

Migration also plays a significant role in the history and present-day dynamics of the Bawean people. Due to various factors, including economic opportunities, trade networks, and colonial influences, the Bawean people have engaged in migration both within Indonesia and to other countries. They traveled to different parts of the Indonesian archipelago and even ventured further to neighboring countries like Malaysia and Singapore for trade and economic purposes. In the latter two countries, they are known as Boyan (originally an English mispronunciation of Bawean, but now generally used, including as self-designation of the local Bawean community).[4] These maritime connections allowed them to establish communities and settlements in different regions.[5]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference MD was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference MDR was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Hidayah, Dr Zulyani (2015). Ensiklopedi Suku Bangsa di Indonesia (in Indonesian). Yayasan Pustaka Obor Indonesia. ISBN 978-979-461-929-2.
  4. ^ M. F. Aziri; A. Wahyudi (2019). "Become Boyan: The Arrival and Development of Baweanese in Singapore in the 19–20th Century". Journal of Maritime Studies and National Integration. 3 (2): 54–61. doi:10.14710/jmsni.v3i2.6082. S2CID 213376374.
  5. ^ "Mengenal Suku Bawean yang Suka Merantau" (in Indonesian). kompas. 2015.