Banjar people

Etymologically, the word Banjar is derived from terminology in the Janyawai dialect of Ma'anyan language, which rooted from Old Javanese language. It is initially used to identified the Ma'anyan, Meratus Dayak, and Ngaju people who are already "Javanized" when the Javanese people arrived in the southeastern Kalimantan regions to established their civilization. The term banjar (ꦧꦚ꧀ꦗꦂ) itself in Javanese language is a short form of a verb mbanjarke (ꦩ꧀ꦧꦚ꧀ꦗꦂꦏꦺ), which means "to separate and rearrange" literally. It is 'common knowledge' within the communities of South Kalimantan that the Banjarese people were formerly part of larger Dayak community.

The Proto-Malay people migrated to Borneo in 2500 BC and were the ancestors of the Dayak people. In 2500 BC, the Deutero Malays migrated to Borneo. The Sumatran people brought their culture to Borneo in 400 AD. The fusion of the cultures saw the birth of the Upper Banjar language (Bahasa Banjar Hulu). Later, in 520 AD, the Sumatran people formed the Buddhist Kingdom of Tanjungpuri in the present-day region of Tanjung, Tabalong.[5][6]

In 14th century, Empu Jatmika migrating from Keling, Kediri built the Hindu Kingdom of Negara Dipa by the river of Tapin.[7] Which later came to be ruled under Majapahit's Rajasa dynasty. This was the start of the Javanese-style courts in South Kalimantan. This Hindu era in South Kalimantan remained influential period in South Kalimantan's history. Negara Dipa was succeeded by the Hindu Kingdom of Negara Daha in 15th century.[8]

According to history, Prince Samudera, the rightful heir to the kingdom of Negara Daha, was forced to flee the court of because of his uncle's revolt against him.[9] He was accepted by the people of Bandar Masih (Bandar: port, Masih: Malay people). Supported by the Sultanate of Demak in Java, he formed a new Islamic Banjar Kingdom in 1526 with Bandar Masih as its capital.[10] The name of Bandar Masih was later changed to its present name Banjarmasin.

Since the 19th century, migration of the Banjarese people went as far as the east coast of Sumatra and Malaysia. In Malaysia and Singapore, Banjarnese people are classified as part of the Ethnic Malay.

The Banjar people can be divided into three ethnicities based on the locations of the assimilation between the Malays, the local Dayaks (Dayak Bukit, Dayak Ma'anyan, Dayak Lawangan, Dayak Ngaju, Dayak Barangas, and Bakumpai), and the Javanese people.

1. The Banjarnese Pahuluan, who live in the valleys by the upriver of Meratus mountain ranges.
2. The Banjar Batang Banyu, who live in the valleys by the river of Negara.
3. The Banjar Kuala, who live in Banjarmasin and Martapura.

Logo of Banjarese Wikipedia edition written in Arabic-based script

The native language of Banjarese people is Banjarese language (Basa Banjar; Jaku Banjar), it is an Austronesian language predominantly spoken in the southeastern Kalimantan regions. The Banjarese language is the de facto lingua franca for various indigenous community especially in South Kalimantan, as well as Central Kalimantan (notably in Seruyan Regency and Sukamara Regency) and East Kalimantan in general.

Most Banjarese are adherents of Islam. Islam first arrived in the South Kalimantan region around the 15th century.[6]

Sasanggan, a bronze bowl used by the Banjarese during a traditional ceremony.

The relationship between the Banjar people and the neighboring Dayaks have always been good. Some Dayaks who had converted to Islam have also assimilated into the Banjar culture and call themselves Banjar.[12] The Dayaks also think of the Banjars as their brothers and sisters. This is further strengthened by the fact there are many inter-marriages between the Banjars and the Dayaks, even among the members of the royalty. For example, Biang Lawai, a wife of a Banjar king, was of Dayak Ngaju ethnicity. This means that the Banjarese kings and queens have Dayak lineage in their blood.[13]

According to Meratus Dayak legends, Banjarese and Meratus are descendants of related brothers of Datung Ayuh or Sandayuhan who was the ancestor of Meratus Dayak, while Bambang Basiwara or Intingan who was the ancestors of Bajarese. In the legends, Sandayuhan is strong and good at fighting, while Intingan has weaker physique but greater intelligence.[14] This relationship grew strong when both ethnicities faced colonization by the Dutch in the 18th century. Some of the warriors involved in Banjar War are of Dayak ethnicity or have Dayak lineage in their blood.

• Banjar in Singapore
• Banjarese language
• Banjarese architecture
• Banjarmasin
• South Kalimantan

1. de Bruyn, W.K.H.F.; Bijdrage tot de kennis van de Afdeeling Hoeloe Soengai, (Zuider a Ooster Afdeeling van Borneo), 19--.
2. Broersma, R.;Handel en Bedrijf in Zuiz Oost Borneo, S'Gravenhage, G. Naeff, 1927.
3. Eisenberger, J.; Kroniek de Zuider en Ooster Afdeeling van Borneo, Bandjermasin, Drukkerij Lim Hwat Sing, 1936.
4. Bondan, A.H.K.; Suluh Sedjarah Kalimantan, Padjar, Banjarmasin, 1953.
5. Ras, J.J.; Hikajat Bandjar, A study in Malay Histiography, N.V. de Ned. Boeken, Steen Drukkerij van het H.L. Smits S'Graven hage, 1968.
6. Heekeren, C. van.; Helen, Hazen en Honden Zuid Borneo 1942, Den Haag, 1969.
7. Riwut, Tjilik; Kalimantan Memanggil, Penerbit Endang, Djakarta.
8. Saleh, Idwar; Sejarah Daerah Tematis Zaman Kebangkitan Nasional (1900–1942) di Kalimantan Selatan, Depdikbud, Jakarta, 1986.

• Media related to Banjar people at Wikimedia Commons