The Sundanese People of West Java: A Rich Cultural Heritage

 The Sundanese People of West Java: A Rich Cultural Heritage

Introduction

The Sundanese people, who originally came from western Java, have spread throughout Indonesia. Known as Orang Sunda, Orang Priangan, or Urang Sunda, they share cultural similarities with the Javanese but see themselves as less formal, gentler, and more cheerful. The Sundanese make up around 15.5% of Indonesia’s population, representing about 34 million people. This distinct ethnic group brings a rich heritage to the country. They speak the Sundanese language, which requires speakers to adjust their expressions and vocabulary based on social status and familiarity. Almost all Sundanese practice Islam. They call their homeland in the Priangan Highlands of West Java Parahyangan (“heaven”).

Historical Background

The Sundanese established their own kingdom, the Pajajaran Kingdom (1333–1579), though they often encountered pressures from larger Javanese kingdoms. Despite this, they managed to preserve their traditions. Indian traders introduced Islam to the Sundanese in the 15th century, spreading it from the coastal regions into the highlands. In 1579, the Sultan of Banten forced Sundanese nobles to convert after he overthrew the ruling family. The Dutch later introduced coffee plantations, and the Sundanese reacted by cooperating in some instances and resisting in others. Many pursued Western education and joined the civil service, while others engaged in two holy wars against the Dutch, one in the 1880s and another after World War II.

Population and Misidentification

In the 1990 census, West Java emerged as the most populated Indonesian province, with 35.3 million people, of whom 34.51% lived in urban areas. Despite these numbers, the Sundanese remain less recognized globally. People often mistake them for the Sudanese in Africa, and many misspell their name. Some spell-check programs even change “Sundanese” to “Sudanese.”

Unique Cultural Traits

The Sundanese often connect with other groups, yet little has been documented about their specific history. Scholar Ayip Rosidi highlights five challenges in defining Sundanese identity. Unlike the Javanese, who have a distinct cultural identity, the Sundanese struggle to define one. Historically, they have played limited roles in national affairs. Events in West Java often become part of broader Indonesian history rather than emphasizing a unique Sundanese identity. Few Sundanese emerged as nationalist leaders, although they actively participated in many 20th-century events. Over the past 50 years, Sundanese culture has largely integrated into Indonesian culture. Some scholars believe that the Sundanese might experience a cultural revival, redefining their ethnic identity.

Sunda versus Java

People often see Sundanese as more Islamic, egalitarian, and straightforward than the Javanese. While they share some social, economic, and political similarities, significant differences remain. Most Sundanese live in West Java, but their language is incomprehensible to Javanese speakers. By 1992, over 21 million Sundanese maintained a strong connection to Islam, particularly through pesantren (Islamic boarding schools). The Sundanese language, like Javanese, includes complex levels of speech, but these forms of respect incorporate Islamic values, such as the traditional concept of hormat (respect). Families teach children that respectful behavior is a religious duty, representing reason (akal) over desire (nafsu). Teachers reinforce these principles in pesantren, where children memorize the Quran in Arabic. Through these practices, children learn to respect authority and avoid inappropriate individualism.

While Sundanese religious practices share elements with neighboring Hindu-Buddhist beliefs, such as spirit beliefs and self-control, their royal traditions differ from those of the Javanese. The Sundanese preserve their literature in Indian scripts and express their culture through wayang golek puppet shows with distinctive wooden puppets. Overall, Sundanese traditions align more closely with Islamic values than with the Javanese royal traditions.

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Early Sundanese History

Unlike many ethnic groups, the Sundanese do not hold a creation myth or origin story. Historians remain uncertain about how they migrated to West Java. Around the beginning of the first millennium, small Sundanese tribal groups likely roamed the mountainous forests of West Java, practicing shifting agriculture. Early Sundanese myths depict them as field workers rather than rice farmers.

The oldest known Sundanese literary work, Caritha Parahyangan, was written around 1000 AD. This piece praises the Javanese King Sanjaya as a great warrior. Sanjaya’s devotion to Shiva suggests that Hinduism had already taken root by 700 AD. Around this time, Buddhism also briefly appeared in Sunda.

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Conclusion

The Sundanese people bring a unique cultural identity to Indonesia, rich in language, literature, and religious traditions. Despite limited historical records, they continue to preserve their essence, particularly through language, Islamic practices, and folk arts. Historians, anthropologists, and religious scholars today embrace the challenge of understanding Sundanese culture. Some scholars suggest that the Sundanese may soon redefine and celebrate their heritage for future generations.