The Sundanese of Indonesia People Profile

they refer to as ngabodor. They make a con- Who are the Sundanese? certed effort to maintain peaceful relation- The Sunda are the largest unreached people ships and to avoid conflict, rarely express- group in Indonesia. Around 34 million Sunda- ing differences of opinion that could hurt nese people live in Indonesia, mostly in West another’s feelings. Java Java, which they call Pasundan (Sundaland), or Parahyangan (Land of the gods). The Beliefs Sundanese Sunda can trace their history in the region back to AD 415 and can claim to be the Over the centuries, the Sunda have wel- original inhabitants of West Java. comed religious input from many sources. Hinduism has been especially influential. The Population: 34 million traditional name for their homeland, Parahy- Location: West Java, Languages angan (Land of the gods), reflects this Hindu Indonesia heritage. Languages: Sundanese, The Sunda have their own language. Most Bahasa Indonesia Sundanese also speak Bahasa Indonesia, the Islam was first Indonesian national language. introduced by Indian traders in the 13th Livelihood century. The Sunda Prayer Points welcomed Islam, West Java is well-watered and extremely fer- as they had other Praise God for the local and interna- tile, producing a rich harvest of rice as well as religious input in the tional groups whose efforts have begun a variety of vegetables. The mountains of Pa- past. In 1579, an in- to produce fruit among the Sunda. sundan are also home to vast tea plantations. vading sultan effec- However, Pasundan is seriously overcrowded tively imposed Islam throughout Pasundan. Pray for harmony and togetherness so family farmland is often very limited Later, their Muslim identity helped the Sunda among Sunda followers of Jesus who (average size 1.5 acres). To supplement their distinguish themselves from their Dutch co- express their Muslim background in dif- income, many Sunda take seasonal employ- lonial masters and became a source of unity ferent ways. ment on larger plantations as well as working against Western European “immorality.” their own farms. Despite these efforts, many Pray for Indonesian followers of Jesus While almost all Sunda are outwardly com- Sunda are very poor. and Sunda messengers as they share the mitted to Islam (99.95%), privately they often Good News among this people group. As Java becomes increasingly industrial and have a complex mix of beliefs. Many Sunda urban, many Sunda are leaving their farms. combine Muslim practices with traditions Pray for community They find work as drivers, mechanics, maids, concerning taboos, spirits, curses and heal- leaders to develop shop assistants or factory-workers in the large ings. For example, the evening maghrib workable solutions cities of Jakarta (14 million) and Bandung (5 prayers are well-attended at Sunda mosques to the poverty that million). Some Sunda have influential govern- because many Sunda believe these prayers traps many Sunda ment jobs. For the vast majority, though, will protect them from the evil spirits of the people. Pray that poverty is a daily struggle. night. The Sunda often highly revere their an- followers of Jesus cestors and visit ancestral graves on Muslim would find ways to feast days such as Eid ul-Fitr or Eid al-Adha. assist locally-initi- Culture Sundanese people who have made several ated community development projects pilgrimages to Mecca sometimes use the Family and community are important to the rather than imposing plans of their own. Sunda. They are reluctant to leave the com- prestige acquired to give authority to healing munity of their birth and do not like to live far and other spiritual practices. Pray for Sunda and Indonesian leaders from Pasundan. For this reason most of the A number of groups are reaching out to the to govern justly, rather than using power 34 million Sundanese still live in West Java. Sunda, sponsoring community development for their own gain. projects and sharing the Good News. We give Sunda culture is rich in the performing Pray that Sunda fellowships would reach thanks that today, more than 30,000 Sunda arts. Specialty instruments include the lute, out in love to their own people group, people call themselves followers of Jesus. Yet the hauntingly beautiful suling flute, and a and send members to share the Good this is only a fraction (0.01%) of the 34 million reverberating bamboo xylophone called the News with other peoples as well. angklung. Colorful wooden puppet shows Sunda who have yet to know how much God called wayang golek bring ancient Hindu loves them. legends to life. For more information about the Sundanese, The Sunda are very friendly. They especially visit: www.apeopleloved.com/sundanese enjoy people who like to make jokes, a trait

Rev. 02/11