The Jawa Mancanegari people are an unreached people group in East Java. They number over 21,000,000 with only about 1% identifying as Christian. This group of Javanese is referred to as those “outside the kingdom,” meaning the Javanese outside the past kingdom of Yogyakarta. Historically, the Jawa Mancanegari have made a living through rice farming, as well as corn and sugarcane crops. However, urbanization of the island of Java has led to less agricultural areas and more businesses and factories.
Mixed Religions
Though the majority of the Jawa Mancanegari people identify as Muslims, their religion tends to be a mix of Islam, Hinduism, sacrificing animals for Eid al Adha, and other animistic beliefs. Many follow the traditions of Islam, praying five times a day, fasting during Ramadan, and avoiding pork and alcohol, among others. Though they hear the Qur’an and call to prayer in Arabic, most don’t understand what they are hearing. They learn from the local mosque leader’s teaching.
Aspects of other religions are frequently present as well. Many villages hold wayang puppet shows at celebrations which tell stories depicting certain Hindu gods. Some villages will regularly sacrifice a cow as a way to cleanse the village. Often, people will turn to a shaman/witch doctor if they or a loved one are sick instead of going to a traditional doctor or clinic.
Baby Celebrations
One cultural tradition, called Tedak Siten, is a major milestone in the life of a new baby. Up until the child is seven months old, the baby is not allowed to touch the ground. When they turn seven months, a large celebration is held with many steps.
First, they are set on seven plates of rice of different colors which symbolizes the various stages of the child’s life. Then, they are helped to climb a ladder, which symbolizes walking through life courageously. The child is then set in a chicken cage with various items such as money, books, jewelry, and rice and everyone watches to see which item the child moves toward. The item they choose symbolizes what the future holds for that child. If they choose money, they will be rich. If they choose books, they will be scholarly.
“And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Luke 10:2
How to pray for the Jawa Mancanegari people:
- Pray for more workers among this people group – 21,000,000 means lots of people are needed
- For local believers to share boldly with their communities
- Pray for Jesus to appear in dreams and visions to the Jawa Mancanegari people
- For church planting and disciple making movements to start and spread throughout this group
