Betawi

ethnic group
group=Betawi


poptime=5 million (2000 census)
popplace=Jakarta: 2.3 million
langs=Betawi, Indonesian
rels=Islam
related=Javanese, Sundanese, Melayu

The Betawi ("Orang Betawi", or "people of Batavia") are the descendants of the people living around Batavia (the colonial name for Jakarta) from around the 17th century. The Betawis are mostly descended from various Southeast Asian ethnic groups brought to or attracted to Batavia to meet labour needs, including people from various parts of Indonesia. They have a culture and language distinct from the Sundanese and Javanese.

The Betawis are known for their piety towards Islam.

Notable Betawi

* Mandra, an actor
* Mohammad Husni Thamrin, a member of "volksraad" in Indonesia National Revival era
* Ismail Marzuki, a musician
* Alya Rohali
* Benyamin Sueb, an actor

There are some non-Betawi people who introduced Betawi culture or influenced by Betawi
* Aman Datuk Majoindo, a novelist who introduced character "Si Doel"
* Rano Karno, an actor and director
* Chairil Anwar, a poet who used some Betawi word instead of sophisticated Indonesian word

References

Castles, Lance "The Ethnic Profile of Jakarta", Indonesia vol.I, Ithaca: Cornell University April 1967

Guinness, Patrick "The attitudes and values of Betawi Fringe Dwellers in Djakarta", Berita Antropologi 8 (September), 1972, pp. 78–159

Knoerr, Jacqueline "Im Spannungsfeld von Traditionalität und Modernität: Die Orang Betawi und Betawi-ness in Jakarta", Zeitschrift für Ethnologie 128 (2), 2002, pp. 203–221

Knoerr, Jacqueline "Kreolität und postkoloniale Gesellschaft. Integration und Differenzierung in Jakarta", Frankfurt & New York: Campus Verlag, 2007

Saidi, Ridwan. "Profil Orang Betawi: Asal Muasal, Kebudayaan, dan Adat Istiadatnya"

Shahab, Yasmine (ed.), "Betawi dalam Perspektif Kontemporer: Perkembangan, Potensi, dan Tantangannya", Jakarta: LKB, 1997

Wijaya, Hussein (ed.), Seni Budaya Betawi. Pralokarya Penggalian Dan Pengem¬bangannya, Jakarta: PT Dunia Pustaka Jaya, 1976