LAND  

Banyuwangi is the most eastern regency of east java and it is a very easy for one who wants to go to Bali. Just 30 minutes until 1 hour with Ferry (Boat).  It is surrounded by mountainous and woody areas to the west; by sea to the east and south. To the north lies the regency of Situbondo.  The regencies of Jember and Bondowoso neighbor Banyuwangi to the west.  To the east lies the island of Bali and to the west lies the Indonesian Ocean. Banyuwangi is situated on the coordinate 70 45’ 15” S and 113’ 38.2” E. Because of its location, Banyuwangi has diverse natural scenery, rich art, culture, customs and traditions.

Banyuwangi is — as are other Indonesian areas — a heterogeneous area where many ethnic groups are mingled and live together under the same roof. One of the native groups is the Osing community which has a distinctly Hindu culture although they are considered a Javanese sub-ethnic group. They live mainly in the central part of Banyuwangi and they sometimes consider themselves as Majapahit descendants. Other groups are Javanese (living mostly in the south and west), Madurese (mainly in the north and coastal area) and Balinese (scattered but more concentrated in the east). Other smaller groups are Chinese, Buginese, Arabs etc.

Osing is Original ethnich of Banyuwangi, with Osing Language for daily communication. Osing are the descendants of the Majapahit princes who refused to convert to Islam in the 16th century. Their population of approximately 400,000 is centered in the province of East Java in the district of Banyuwangi. The Osings speak a dialect which shows influences from both the Javanese and Balinese.

The Osings are mostly adherents of abangan Islam, although there are some who follow Hinduism. Elements of Animism can be seen in their religion too. The Osings share a similar culture and spirit with the Balinese, and the Hindus celebrate ceremonies like Nyepi. It is not uncommon to see mosques and puras (Hindu temples) to be built nearby to each other in Banyuwangi. About 2-3,000 of them are Christians, who also mix some Hindu or Muslim beliefs into their religion.

The history of the Osings date back to the end of the 15th century, at the time of the fall of the Majapahit kingdom, and for the sake of resisting the conversion of Islam, many of them fled east to Banyuwangi, Bali and Lombok, and later it was converted to Islam by the Muslim Makassarese in the 16th century. The princes from Majapahit thus established the Blambangan kingdom, which stretched from the Blambangan peninsula right up to the Tengger mountains of Central Java. The Blambangan kingdom held sway for slightly more than two hundred years, before they finally surrendered to the second Mataram kingdom in 1743. Even then, they did not officially convert to Islam until the 19th century, though small communities of Muslims do pre-exist this date. The cause of the Osing's conversion is that, during the 19th century, when Banyuwangi was still unscathed by the Dutch colony, but knowing that by launching an attack on Banyuwangi, they will lose out in the battle as the Hindu principal puputan was a fight-to-death, the Dutch sent Moslem (and Christian) missionaries to tame the fighting spirit. Only then Banyuwangi was captured, a long and ambitious dream toward further occupation on Bali was launched by the Dutch.

CULTURE

Banyuwangi Culture is met from other culture. For its location along Java–Bali road, Banyuwangi is rich in culture, where Javanese, Madurese, Balinese and other cultures had met. This area has got unique arts, traditions and natures.

The beauty of nature is spread across Banyuwangi from the west to the east. Mountains, forests and beaches mark the landscape of the regency. For instance, Ijen Crater, in the western part of Banyuwangi is famous for its beautiful crater lake, the traditional sulfur miners who amazingly climb up and down the slope of Mount Merapi, and the plantations that cover the Crater’s slope.  The National Park of Meru Betiri is famous for its Java Tiger and turtles.  These locations form the center of the Tourism Developed area which is called the Diamond Triangle, which connects one Tourism Object to another.

Banyuwangi also has various art, culture, customs and traditions. One of the typical arts of Banyuwangi is Gandrung, a welcoming dance for distinguished guests. The dance is the defining dance of Banyuwangi. Besides Gandrung, Seblang, Kuntulan, Damarwulan, Angklung, Ketoprak, Barong, Kendang Kempul, Jaranan are arts that can be seen in Banyuwangi.  Other customs that can be observed in Banyuwangi include the sea offering, metik (a celebration performed before rice and coffee harvesting), Rebo Wekasan, Kebo Visit Banyuwangi the Real Tropical Country keboan, Ruwatan, Tumplek punjen, Gredoan, Endog-endogan, etc. These events are performed every year and are included in the Calendar of Events of Banyuwangi.  The typical handicrafts and traditional foods are available across Banyuwangi. The products and places that should be visited are Batik Tulis at Temenggungan and Tempo, Bamboo handicraft at Kecamatan Rogojampi and Kalipuro, etc. Banyuwangi also has typical food products; such as bagiak, selai pisang (banana jam) etc.

There native people of Banyuwangi are Banyuwanginese.  They have their own dialect which combines the languages of Javanese and Balinese.  Ethnic Javanese, Madurese, Balinese and people from Banjar also call Banyuwangi home. The diverse natural scenery, the rich art, culture, customs and traditions, constitute worthy treasures that must be introduced to all people.  The people of Banyuwangi and the local government will be supported and benefited by tourism.  The income from tourism will provide the capital to develop the regency of Banyuwangi.  Tourists will also benefit from their rich experiences as they visit Banyuwangi.