The Banjar of People Profile

Who are the Banjar? Culture The Banjar are an ancient people of mixed Many Banjar villages are located along Kali- Dayak, Malay and Javanese ancestry. The Ban- mantan’s rivers, in swampy areas with thick jar live primarily in southeastern , undergrowth. Villages usually have a bridge, Indonesia. Some also live in East . The a least one road, several Islamic houses of Banjar have been called the “people of the worship, an elementary school, a junior high water” because they live along Kalimantan’s school, a cemetery and a marketplace. A Kalimantan many rivers and depend on these waterways mesjid or mosque is located near the center for their livelihood. There are about 3.5 mil- of the village not far from the river, with a Banjar lion Banjar people today. large front door and sometimes a high Languages tower. There are also Population: 3.5 million several smaller wor- Location: Kalimantan, Indonesia The Banjar people have their own Banjar ship and teaching Languages: Banjar, language, a Malay dialect. Most also speak centers. Bahasa Indonesia Bahasa Indonesia, the Indonesian national The Banjar of south language. Kalimantan seldom move to other Prayer Points Livelihood areas of Indonesia or mingle with other In addition to fishing, many Banjar work on ethnic groups. They tend to marry and settle farms and plantations. Trade, transportation near their relatives in . Praise God for the Banjar who have and mining are also common occupations. decided to follow Jesus. Products produced in south Kalimantan include pepper, rice, rubber, plywood, sawn Beliefs Pray that the Banjar followers of Jesus timber, rattan, frozen shrimp and crayfish, car- would boldly share the Good News with Ancestors of the present-day Banjar have at pets and furniture, tree bark for making joss their family, friends and neighbors. times followed and Hinduism as sticks and insect repellent, roots for making well as . Today, however, nearly all Banjar Javanese jamu and other Pray that other followers of Jesus in are Muslim. Banjar ethnic identity is insepa- traditional medicines, Kalimantan would develop an increasing rable from the Islamic religion. coal, crude oil, cacao, burden to reach out to the Banjar. coconut, iron ore, kaolin, Islam influences every aspect of individual Pray that followers of Jesus would find limestone, diamonds, and family life among the Banjar. Islamic ways to serve the Banjar people, demon- gold and other precious feasts and the Ramadan fast are strictly strating God’s love in practical ways. stones. Most of these observed. Many Banjar prefer modern Islamic products are of export schools to schools provided by the govern- quality. ment. When natural disasters occur, religious officials respond immediately. The govern- History ment also considers Islam its primary ally in maintaining order and controlling crime. , the capital city of South Kalimantan, is home to many of the Banjar Although there are many followers of Jesus people. The city was established in 1526 by in south Kalimantan, there has been little Prince Samudera, the founder of the Banjar outreach to the Banjar people. Perhaps only Kingdom. Prince Samudera solidified his 50 Banjar follow Jesus. power with the help of the sultan of Demak, the ruler of a nearby Muslim state. As a condi- tion of Demak’s help in battle, Samudera For more information about the Banjar, visit: accepted Islam and changed his name to Sul- www.apeopleloved.com/banjar tan Suriansyah. Islam spread quickly among the Banjar people after the Prince’s conver- sion. Today, nearly all Banjar are Muslim. Mosques and prayer-houses are omnipresent throughout Banjarmasin and southeastern Kalimantan.

Rev. 02/11

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