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History

Ancient Javanese people

       Javanese people, is an ethnic group native that come from Indonesian island of Java. They are also predominantly located in the central eastern parts of the island. The Javanese people also a significant group in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Suriname in South America. Like most Indonesian ethnic groups, including the Sundanese of West Java, the Javanese are of Austronesian origins whose ancestors are thought to have originated in Taiwan, and migrated through the Philippines, reaching Java between 1,500BCE and 1,000BCE.

       

      Their religion is  Hindu and Buddhist. This were influences them arrived through trade contacts with the Indian subcontinent. Since as early as first century CE, Javanese sailors has been trading spices in India. The Javanese developed philosophical concepts that are parallel but not identical with the Indian. Hindu missionaries arrived in 5th century, with Buddhist missionaries also coming around the same period. Local rulers adopted concept of kingly rules with monarch identified with gods. These Hinduism, Buddhism and Javanese faiths blended into a unique local philosophies. The cradle of Javanese culture is commonly described as being in Kedu Plain in the fertile slopes of Mount Merapi. Earliest dynasties, Sanjaya and Sailendra has their power base there, where they leave major monuments such as Borobudur and Prambanan temple complex. 

      After for a long time,they were stay together, they were decide to move other country because war and others. They were probably involved in Austronesian migration to Madagascar in the first centuries CE. While the core culture of the migration is most closely related with Ma'anyan of Borneo, a portions of Malagasy language is derived from loanwords from Javanese language. 

       Then,the Javanese present in Peninsular Malaya since early times. Portuguese historian De Barros mentioned that there were 10,000 Javanese in Malacca in early 16th century. They were administered with autonomy under their chiefs. Their settlement contributed to the multi-ethnic nature of Malacca. Link between Java and Malacca was important during spread of Islam in Indonesia, when religious missionaries were sent from Malacca to seaports in northern coast of Java.

      Large migration to Peninsular Malaya occurred during colonial period when they migrated from Central Java to Malaysia from 1880 to 1930. They migrated to seek a new life away from the Dutch colonists who ruled Indonesia at that time. Today the they live throughout Peninsular Malaysia in parts of Perak, Selangor, and Kedah.  The migrants bring with them various aspect of Javanese cultures such as Gamelan music, traditional dances and art of Wayang kulit shadow play.



Source:
1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javanese_people