Central Java

Central Java(Indonesian:Jawa Tengah,Javanese:ꦗꦮꦶꦩꦢꦾ,romanized:Jawa Madya,Pegon: جاوا ماديا) is aprovinceofIndonesia, located in the middle of the island ofJava. Its administrative capital isSemarang. It is bordered byWest Javain the west, theIndian Oceanand theSpecial Region of Yogyakartain the south,East Javain the east, and theJava Seain the north. It has a total area of 33,750.37 km, with a population of 36,516,035 at the 2020 Censusmaking it the third-most populous province in both Java and Indonesia afterWest JavaandEast Java. The official population estimate in mid-2023 was 37,608,336The province also includes a number of offshore islands, including the island ofNusakambanganin the south (close to the border of West Java), and theKarimun Jawa Islandsin the Java Sea.
Central Java is also a cultural concept that includes theYogyakarta Special Region, in turn including the city ofYogyakarta; however, administratively that city and its surroundingregencieshave formed a separatespecial region(equivalent to a province) since the country's independence, and is administered separately. Although known as the "heart" ofJavanese culture, there are several other non-Javanese ethnic groups, such as theSundaneseon the border with West Java.Chinese Indonesians,Arab Indonesians, andIndian Indonesiansare also scattered throughout the province.
The province has been inhabited by humans since the prehistoric-era. Remains of aHomo erectus, known as "Java Man", were found along the banks of theBengawan Solo, and date back to 1.7 million years ago.What is present-day Central Java was once under the control of several Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms, Islamic sultanates, and theDutch East Indiescolonial government. Central Java was also the centre of theIndonesian independence movement. As the majority of modern-dayIndonesiansare ofJavanesedescent, both Central Java andEast Javahave a major impact on Indonesia's social, political, and economic life.
The origin of the name "Java" can be traced from theSanskritchronicle which mentions the existence of an island called yavadvip(a) (dvipameans "island", andyavameans "barley" or also "grain").These grains may be millet (Setaria italica) or rice, both of which have been widely found on this island, before the entry of Indian influence.It is possible that the island had many previous names, including the possibility of it originating from the wordjaúwhich means "far away". Yavadvipa is mentioned in one of the Indian epic,Ramayana. According to the epic,Sugriva, the commander of the wanara (ape man) fromSri Rama's army, sent his envoy to Yavadvip ("Java Island") to look for the Hindu goddessSita.
Another possibility is that the word "Java" comes fromProto-Austronesian,AwaorYawa(Similar to the wordsAwa'i(Awaiki) orHawa'i(Hawaiki) used inPolynesia, especiallyHawaii) which means "home".
An island calledIabadiuorJabadiuis mentioned inPtolemy'swork calledGeographiawhich was made around 150 AD during the era of theRoman Empire.Iabadiuis said to mean "island of barley", also rich in gold, and has a silver city called Argyra at its western end. This name mentioned Java, which most likely origins from the Sanskrit term Java-dvipa (Yawadvipa).
Chinese records from theSongshuand theLiangshureferred to Java as She-po (5th century AD), He-ling (640–818 AD), then called it She-po again until theYuan Dynasty(1271–1368), where they began to call Zhao-Wa.In the bookYingyai Shenglan, written by the Chinese Ming explorerMa Huan, the Chinese call Java as Chao-Wa, and it was once called the She-pó (She-bó).WhenGiovanni de' Marignollireturned from China toAvignon, he stopped at the kingdom of Saba, which he said had many elephants and was led by a queen; this name Saba might be his interpretation of She-bó.
Java has been inhabited by humans or their ancestors (hominina) since prehistoric times. In Central Java and the adjacent territories in East Java remains known as "Java Man" were discovered in the 1890s by the Dutch anatomist and geologistEugène Dubois. It belongs to the speciesHomo erectus,and are believed to be about 1.7 million years old.TheSangiransite is an important prehistoric site on Java.
Around 40,000 years ago,Australoidpeoples related to modern Australian Aboriginals andMelanesianssettled in Central Java. They were assimilated or replaced by MongoloidAustronesiansby about 3,000 BC, who brought technologies of pottery, outrigger canoes, the bow and arrow, and introduced domesticated pigs, fowls, and dogs. They also introduced cultivated rice and millet.
Recorded history began in what is now Central Java in the 7th century AD. The writing, as well as Hinduism and Buddhism, were brought by the Indians from South Asia, at the time of Central Java was a centre of power in Java. In 664 AD, the Chinese monkHui-nengvisited the Javanese port city he calledHēlíng(訶陵) orHo-ling, where he translated various Buddhist scriptures into Chinese with the assistance of the Javanese Buddhist monk Jñānabhadra. It is not precisely known what is meant by the nameHēlíng. It used to be considered the Chinese transcription ofKalingabut it is now most commonly thought of as a rendering of the nameAreng.Hēlíngis believed to be located somewhere between Semarang andJepara.
The first dated inscription in Central Java was theCanggalfrom 732 AD. This inscription, fromKedu, is written in Sanskrit inPallava script. It is written that aShaiviteking namedSri Sanjayaestablished a kingdom calledMataram. Under the reign of Sanjaya's dynasty, several monuments such as thePrambanantemple complex were built. At the same time, a competing dynastySailendraarose, adhering toBuddhismand built theBorobudurtemple. After 820 AD, there was no more mention of theHēlíngin Chinese records. Coinciding with the overthrow of the Sailendras by the Sanjayas who restored Shaivism as the dominant religion. In the middle of the 10th century, however, the centre of power moved to eastern Java.Raden Wijayafounded theMajapahit Empire, and reaching its peak during the reign ofHayam Wuruk. The kingdom claimed sovereignty over the entireIndonesian archipelago, although direct control tended to be limited to Java,BaliandMadura.Gajah Madawas a military leader during this time, who led numerous territorial conquests. The kingdoms in Java had previously based their power on agriculture, but Majapahit had succeeded in seizing ports and shipping lanes, in a bid to become the first commercial empire on Java. The empire suffered a setback after the death of Hayam Wuruk and theentry of Islam into the archipelago.
In the late 16th century,Islamhad surpassedHinduismand Buddhism as the dominant religion in Java. The emergence of Islamic kingdoms in Java is also inseparable from the role ofWalisongo. At first, the spread of Islam was quick and was accepted by ordinary people, until the entrance ofda'wahand it was carried out by the rulers of the island. TheSultanate of Demakwas the first recorded Islamic kingdom in Java, first led by one of the descendants of the Majapahit emperorRaden Patah, who converted to Islam. During this period, Islamic kingdoms began to develop fromPajang,Surakarta,Yogyakarta,Cirebon, andBanten. Another Islamic kingdom, theSultanate of Mataram, grew into a dominant force in the central and eastern Java. The cities ofSurabayaandCirebonwere subdued by Mataram. Only the Mataram and Banten Sultanates remained after the Dutch arrived in the early 17th century. Some Islamic kingdoms in Java can still be found in several regions, such asSurakarta(with two kingdoms ofKasunananandMangkunegaran), andYogyakartawith theYogyakarta SultanateandPakualaman.
By the late 16th century, European traders began to frequent central Javanese ports. The Dutch established a presence in the region through theEast India Company. Following the fall of Demak to Mataram under the reign ofSultan Agung, Mataram was able to conquer almost all of Java by the 17th century, but internal disputes and Dutch intervention forced it to cede more land to the Dutch. These cessions led to several partitions of Mataram. The first was after the 1755Treaty of Giyanti, which divided the kingdom in two, the Sultanates of Surakarta and Yogyakarta. Surakarta was divided again with the establishment of theMangkunegaranfollowing the 1757 Treaty of Salatiga.
During theNapoleonic Wars, Central Java as a Dutch colony wastaken over by the British. In 1813, the Sultanate of Yogyakarta was divided with the establishment of the Pakualaman. Following the departure of the British, the Dutch returned as stipulated in theCongress of Vienna. TheJava Warbetween 1825 and 1830 ravaged Central Java, which resulted in a consolidation of the Dutch power. The power and the territories of the already divided Mataram were greatly reduced. After the war, theNetherlandsenforced theCultivation Systemwhich was linked to famines and epidemics in the 1840s, first in Cirebon and then Central Java, as cash crops such as indigo and sugar had to be grown instead of rice.
In the 1900s, the predecessor of the modern Central Java was created, namedGouvernement van Midden-Java. Before 1905, central Java consisted of 5gewesten(regions) namelySemarang,Rembang,Kedu,Banyumas, andPekalongan.Surakartawas still an independentvorstenland(autonomous region) which stood alone and consisted of two regions, Surakarta and Mangkunegaran, as well as Yogyakarta. Eachgewestconsisted of districts. At that time, theRembang Gewestalso includedRegentschapTubanandRegentschapBojonegoro. After the enactment of the 1905Decentralisatie Besluit(Decentralisation Decision), the governor was given autonomy and a regional Council was formed. In addition, autonomousgemeente(municipal) was formed,Pekalongan,Tegal,Semarang,Salatiga, andMagelang. In 1930, the province was designated as an autonomous region with aprovinciale raad(provincial council). The province consists of severalresidenties(residencies), covering severalregentschap(districts), divided into severalkawedanan(districts). Central Java consisted of 5 residences: Pekalongan, Jepara-Rembang, Semarang,Banyumas, andKedu.
On 1 March 1942, theImperial Japanese Armylanded on Java, and the following week, theDutch East Indiessurrendered to Japan. During Japanese rule, Java andMadurawere placed under theJapanese 16th Army. Many who lived in areas considered important to the war effort experiencedtorture,sex slavery,arbitrary arrestand execution, and otherwar crimes. Thousands of people were taken away asforced labourers(romusha) for Japanese military projects, including theBurma-SiamandSaketi-Bayah railways, and suffered or died as a result of ill-treatment and starvation. A laterUNreport stated that four million people died in Indonesia as a result of the Japanese occupation.About 2.4 million people died in Java from famine during 1944–45.
Following the surrender of Japan, Indonesiaproclaimed its independenceon 17 August 1945. The final stages of warfare were initiated in October when, under the terms of their surrender, the Japanese tried to re-establish the authority they relinquished to the Indonesians in towns and cities. The fiercest fighting involving the Indonesianpemudaand the Japanese wasin Semarang. Six days later, British forces began to occupy the city, after which retreating Indonesian Republican forces retaliated by killing between 130 and 300 Japanese prisoners. Five hundred Japanese and 2,000 Indonesians had been killed, and the Japanese had almost captured the city when British forces arrived.
The province of Central Java was formed on 15 August 1950, excluding Yogyakarta but includingSurakarta.There has been no significant changes in the administrative division of the province ever since. In the aftermath of the30 September Movementin 1965,an anti-communist purgetook place in Central Java, in which the army and community vigilante groups killed Communists and leftists, both actual and alleged. Others were interned inconcentration camps, the most infamous of which was on the isle ofBuruin Maluku, first used as a place of political exile by the Dutch. Some were executed years later, but most were released in 1979In 1998, near thedownfall of Suharto,anti-Chinese violencebroke out in Surakarta (Solo) and surrounding areas, in which Chinese property and other buildings were burnt down. The following year, public buildings in Surakarta were burnt by supporters ofMegawati Sukarnoputriafter Indonesia's parliament choseAbdurrahman Wahidinstead of Megawati for the presidency.
The2006 Yogyakarta earthquakein the south and Yogyakarta devastated many buildings and caused thousands of deaths and more than 37,000 injuries.
According to the slope level of land in Central Java, 38% of the land has a slope of 0–2%, 31% has a slope of 2–15%, 19% has a slope of 15–40%, and the remaining 12% has a slope of more than 40%.
The northern coastal region of Central Java has a narrow lowland. In theBrebesarea, it is 40 km wide from the coast, while in Semarang, it is only 4 km wide. This plain continues with the depression of Semarang-Rembang in the east.Mount Muriaat the end of the Ice Age (around 10,000 years BC) was a separate island from Java, which eventually fused because of alluvial deposits from flowing rivers.The city ofDemakduring the era of theDemak Sultanatewas on the edge of the sea and became a thriving port. This sedimentation process is still ongoing on the coast ofSemarang.
In the south of the area are the Northern Cretaceous Mountains and the Kendeng Mountains, which are limestone mountains stretching from the east of Semarang from the Southwest end of Pati then east to theLamonganandBojonegoroin East Java.
The main range of mountains in Central Java is the North and South Serayu Mountains. The North forms a mountain chain that connects theBogorrange in West Java with the Kendeng Mountains in the east. The width of this mountain range is around 30–50 km; on the western end there isMount Slamet, which is the highest mountain in Central Java as well as the second-highest mountain in Java, and the eastern part is theDieng Plateauwith peaks of Mount Prahu andMount Ungaran. Between the series of North and South Serayu Mountains are separated by the Serayu Depression which stretches from Majenang in theCilacap Regency,Purwokerto, toWonosobo. East of this depression is the Sindoro and Sumbing volcano, and the east again (Magelang and Temanggung areas) is a continuation of depression which limits Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu.
The Southern Serayu Mountains are part of the South Central Java Basin located in the southern part of the province. This mandala is a geoantiklin that extends from west to east along 100 kilometres and is divided into two parts separated by the Jatilawang valley, namely the western and eastern regions. The western part is formed by Mount Kabanaran (360 m) and can be described as having the same elevation as the Bandung Depression Zone in West Java or as a new structural element in Central Java. This section is separated from the Bogor Zone by the Majenang Depression.
The eastern part was built by the Ajibarang anticline (narrow anticline) which was cut by theSerayu Riverstream. In the east of Banyumas, the anticline developed into an anticlinorium with a width reaching 30 km in the Lukulo area (south ofBanjarnegara-Midangan) or often called theKebumen Tinggi. At the very eastern end of Mandala, the South Serayu Mountains are formed by the dome of the Kulonprogo Mountains (1022 m), which is located betweenPurworejoand theProgo River.
The area of the south coast of Central Java also has a narrow lowland, with a width of 10–25 km. In addition, there are South Gombong Karst Areas. Sloping hills stretch parallel to the coast, from Yogyakarta toCilacap. East of Yogyakarta is a limestone mountain area that extends to the southern coast of East Java.
The rivers that empty into theJava Seainclude theBengawan Solo River, Kali Pemali, Kali Comal, and Kali Bodri, while the ones that empty into the Indian Ocean includeSerayu River, Bogowonto River,Luk Ulo Riverand Progo River. Bengawan Solo is the longest river on the island of Java (572 km); has a spring in theSewu Mountains(Wonogiri Regency), this river flows to the north, crosses the City ofSurakarta, and finally goes to East Java and empties into the Gresik area (near Surabaya).
Among the main reservoirs (lakes) in Central Java are Gunung Rowo Lake (Pati Regency),Gajahmungkur Reservoir(Wonogiri Regency), Kedungombo Reservoir (BoyolaliandSragen Regency),Rawa Pening Lake(Semarang Regency), Cacaban Reservoir (Tegal Regency), Malahayu Reservoir (Brebes Regency), Wadaslintang Reservoir (border ofKebumen RegencyandWonosobo Regency), Gembong Reservoir (Pati Regency), Sempor Reservoir (Kebumen Regency) and Mrica Reservoir (Banjarnegara Regency).
The average temperature in Central Java is between 18–28 °C (64–82 °F) and the relative humidity varies between 73% and 94%.While the humidity is high in most low-lying parts of the province, it drops significantly in the upper mountains.The highest average annual rainfall of 3,990 mm with 195 rainy days was recorded inSalatiga.
On the eve of theWorld War IIin 1942, Central Java was subdivided intoseven residencies(Dutch:residentieor pluralresidenties,Javanesekarésiḍènanorkarésidhènan) which corresponded more or less with the main regions of this area. These residencies were:
The Southeastern (Solo) area used to be theSurakarta Sunanateuntil the monarchy was unrecognized by the Indonesian government. However, after the local elections in 1957, the role of these residencies were reduced until they finally disappeared.The only major boundary change since the creation of the province took place on 14 June 1965, when a newBatang Regencywas formed from the eastern half of Pekalongan Regency.
Today, Central Java (excludingSpecial Region of Yogyakarta) is divided into29 regencies(kabupaten) andsix cities(kota, previouslykotamadyaandkota pradja), the latter being independent of any regency. These contemporary regencies and cities can further be subdivided into 565districts(kecamatan). These districts are further divided into 7,804 rural villages (desa) and 764 urban villages (kelurahan).
Note: The regencies now appear in the formal order prescribed by the Indonesian Central Statistics Board (Badan Pusat Statistik), as indicated by the regional codes (Kode Wilayah).
The province comprises 10 of Indonesia's 84 national electoral districts to elect members to theHouse of Representatives.The province's 77 elected members are comprised as follows:
As of the 2010 census, Central Java's population stood at 32.38 million, barely increasing from 2000, compared with the 1990 census when the population was 28 million.This reflected an increase of approximately 13.5% in 20 years. At the 2020 Census the population was 36,516,035, and the official estimate for mid 2023 was 37,608,336.Birthrates had not plunged between 2000 and 2010, instead losses due to domestic outmigration on 2010 figures, reversed themselves in 2020 with pandemicback to kampunginfluence.
The three biggest regencies in terms of population are:Brebes,CilacapandBanyumas. Together they make up approximately 16% of the province's population. Major urban population centres include GreaterSemarang, GreaterSurakartaand theBrebes-Tegal-Slawiarea in the northwest of the province.
Although the overwhelming majority of Javanese are Muslims, many also professindigenous Javanese beliefs.Clifford Geertz, in his book about the religion of Java, made a distinction between the so-calledsantriJavanese andabanganJavanese.He considered the former as orthodox Muslims and the latter as nominal Muslims that devote more energy to indigenous traditions.
Dutch Protestants were active in missionary activities and were rather successful. The Dutch CatholicJesuitmissionary,F.G.C. van Lithalso achieved some success, especially in areas around the central-southern parts of Central Java and Yogyakarta at the beginning of the 20th century,and is buried at the Jesuit necropolis atMuntilan.
Following theupheavalsin 1965–66, religious identification of citizens became compulsory, and there has been a renaissance of Buddhism and Hinduism since then. As one has to choose a religion out of the five official religions in Indonesia; i.e. Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, the latter two became alternatives for people who did not want to be Muslims or Christians.Confucianismis also common among Chinese Indonesians. In thepost-Suharto era, it is recognised as an official religion along with the aforementioned five.
At approximately 98%,Javanese peopleform the overwhelming majority of the population, and a minority of theSundanese people.Central Java is known as the centre of Javanese culture. The cities of Surakarta and Yogyakarta are the centres of the Javanese royal palace that still stands today.
Significant minority ethnic groups include theChinese Indonesians. They usually reside in urban areas, although they are also found in rural areas. In general, they primarily work in trade and services. Many speak the Javanese language with sufficient fluency as they have lived alongside the Javanese. One can feel the strong influence in Semarang and the town of Lasem inRembang Regency, which is on the northeastern tip of Central Java. Even Lasem is nicknamedLe petit chinoisor the Small Chinese City. The urban areas that are densely populated byChinese Indonesiansare calledpecinan, which means "Chinatown". Additionally, in several major cities, theArab-Indonesiancommunity can also be found. Similar to the Chinese community, they are usually engaged in trade and services.
In areas bordering the province of West Java, there are Sundanese people and Sundanese culture, especially in the Cilacap, Brebes, and Banyumas regions.  Sundanese toponyms are common in these regions such asDayeuhluhurin Cilacap, Ciputih and Citimbang in Brebes and even Cilongok as far away in Banyumas.In the interior ofBlora, which borders East Java, there is an isolatedSamin community, the case of which is almost the same as theBaduy peopleinBanten.
AlthoughIndonesianis the official language, people mostly speakJavaneseas their daily language. The Solo-Jogja dialect or the Mataram dialect is considered as the standard Javanese Language.
Additionally, there are a number of Javanese dialects but in general, it consists of two, namelykulonanandtimuran. The former is spoken in the western part of Central Java, consisting of the Banyumasan dialects and Tegal dialects (also calledBasa Ngapak). They are quite different in pronunciation from the standard Javanese. The latter dialect is spoken in the eastern part of the province, including the Mataram dialect (Solo-Jogja), Semarang dialect, and the Pati dialect. Between the borders of the two dialects, Javanese is spoken with a mixture of both dialects; these areas arePekalonganand theKedu Plain, which composesMagelangandTemanggung.
Some parts of the districts ofBrebesandCilacapspeakSundanese, the western part of Central Java is the border between the Javanese people andSundanese peopleworlds in the western of Java.
Central Java is considered to be the heart of the Javanese culture. The ideal conduct and moral of the courts (such as politeness, nobility and grace) has a tremendous influence on the people. They are known as soft-spoken, very polite, extremely class-conscious, apathetic, down-to-earth, etc. These stereotypes form what most non-Javanese see as the "Javanese Culture", when in fact, not allJavanesebehave in such manner as most Javanese are far from the court culture.
The Javanese cultural area can be divided into three distinct main regions: Western, Central, and Eastern Javanese culture or in their Javanese names asNgapak,KejawènandArèk. The boundaries of these cultural regions coincide with theisoglossesof the Javanese dialects. Cultural areas west ofDieng PlateauandPekalongan Regencyare consideredNgapakwhereas the border of the eastern cultural areas orArèklies inEast Java. Consequently, culturally, Central Java consists of two cultures, while the Central Javanese Culture proper is not entirely confined to Central Java.
The architecture of Central Java is characterised by the juxtaposition of the old and the new and a wide variety of architectural styles, the legacy of many successive influences from the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, China, and Europe. In particular, northern coastal cities such as Semarang, Tegal, and Pekalongan can boast European colonial architecture. The European and Chinese influence can be seen in Semarang's temple ofSam Poo Kongdedicated toZheng Heand the Domed Church built in 1753. The latter is the second-oldest church in Java and the oldest in Central Java. In the former capital of Surakarta, there are also several European architectures.
Central Java also has some notable religious buildings. TheBorobudurand thePrambanantemple complexes are among the largest Buddhist and Hindu structures in the world. In general, a characteristic Javanese mosque does not have a dome as its roof but aMeru-like roof which is reminiscent of a Hindu or Buddhist temple. The tower of the famous Mosque of Kudus resembles a Hindu-Javanese or Balinese temple more than a traditional Middle Eastern mosque.
Central Java is famous and well known for its exquisitebatik, a genericwax-resistdyeingtechnique used ontextiles. There are different styles of batik motifs. A centre of batik production is inPekalongan. Other centres includeSurakartaandYogyakarta.Batikin Pekalongan style, which representgaya pesisir(or coastal style), is different from the one in Surakarta and Yogyakarta that representbatikfrom the heartland of Java (gaya kejawèn).
One can even see the court influences in the art forms. The dances of the courts of Java are usually slow and graceful with no excessive gestures. The people followed this approach, and as a result, slow-paced and graceful movements can even be found in folk dances throughout Central Java, though with some exceptions. One can enjoy the beauty of Central Javanese dances in "Kamajaya-Kamaratih" or "Karonsih", usually performed in a traditional Javanese wedding.
There are several kinds of Central Javanese theatre and performing arts. The most well-known is the Javanesewayangtheatre, which has several types. These arewayang kulit,wayang klitik,wayang beber,wayang golek, andwayang wong.Wayang kulitare shadow puppets theatre with leather puppets. The stories are loosely based on theMahabharataandRamayanacycles.Wayang klitikare puppets theatre with flat wooden puppets. The stories are based onPanjistories. Panji was a native Javanese princes who embarked a 'journeys of desire'.Wayang beberis scroll theatre, and it involves "performing" scenes of a story elaborately drawn and painted on rolled sheets.Wayang golekconsists of three-dimensional wooden puppets. The narrative can be based on anything, but usually are drawn from Islamic heroic ones. Finally,wayang wongiswayangtheatre involving live figures, actors who are performing a play. The narrative, however, must be based on theMahabharataor theRamayana.
In addition towayang, there is another form of theatre calledketoprak. It is a staged play by actors accompanied by Javanesegamelan. The narrative is free but cannot be based on Mahabharata or Ramayana.
Central Javanese music is almost synonymous withgamelan. It is a musical ensemble typically featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums, gongs, bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings. Vocalists may also be included. The term refers more to the set of instruments than the players of those instruments. A gamelan as a set of instruments is a distinct entity, built and tuned to stay together. Instruments from different gamelan are not interchangeable. However, gamelan is not typically Central Javanese as it is also known elsewhere.
Contemporary Javanese pop music is calledcampursari. It is a fusion between gamelan and Western instruments, much likekroncong. Usually, the lyrics are in Javanese, though not always. One notable singer isDidi Kempot, born inSragen, north of Surakarta. He mostly sings in Javanese.
It can be argued that Javanese literature started in Central Java. The oldest-known literary work in theJavanese languageis theinscription of SivagrhafromKedu Plain. This inscription, which is from 856 AD, is written as akakawinor Javanese poetry with Indian metres.The oldest of narrative poems,Kakawin Ramayana, which tells the well-known story ofRamayana, is believed to have come from Central Java. It can be safely assumed that thiskakawinwere written in the central Java region in the 9th century.
After the shift of Javanese power to eastern Java, it had been quiet from Central Java for several centuries concerning Javanese literature until the 16th century. At this time, the centre of power was shifted back to Central Java. The oldest work written in modern Javanese language concerning Islam is the so-called "Book of Bonang" or also "The Admonitions of Seh Bari". This work is extant in just one manuscript, now kept in the University of Leiden as codex Orientalis 1928. It is assumed that this manuscript originates from Tuban, in eastern Java and was taken to the Netherlands after 1598.However, this work is attributed toSunan Bonang, one of thenine Javanese saintswho spread Islam in Java and Sunan Bonang came from Bonang, a place inDemak Regency, Central Java. It can be argued that this work marked the beginning of Islamic literature in the region.
However, the pinnacle of Central Javanese literature was created at the courts of the kings of Mataram in Kartasura and later in Surakarta and Yogyakarta that are mostly attributed to the Yasadipura family. The most famous member of this family isRangga Warsitawho lived in the 19th century. He is the best-known of all Javanese writers and also one of the most prolific. He is also known asbujangga panutupor "the last court poet".
Following independence, the Javanese language as a medium was pushed to the background. Still, one of the greatest contemporary Indonesian authors,Pramoedya Ananta Toerwas born in 1925 inBlora. He was an author of novels, short stories, essays, polemics, and histories of his homeland and its people. A well-regarded writer in the West, his outspoken and often politically charged writings faced censorship at home. He faced extrajudicial punishment for opposing the policies of both PresidentSukarnoandSuharto. During imprisonment and house arrest, he became acause célèbrefor advocates of freedom of expression and human rights. In his works, he writes much about life and social problems in Java.
Rice is the staple food of Central Java. In addition to rice, dried cassava, known locally asgaplèk, also serve as a staple food. Javanese food tends to taste sweet. Cooked and stewed vegetables, usually in coconut milk (santenin Javanese) are prevalent. Raw vegetable, which is popular in West Java, is less prevalent in Central Java.
Saltwater fish, both fresh and dried are common, especially among coastal areas. Freshwater fish is not popular in Central Java, unlike in West Java, except perhaps forcatfishknown locally aslélé. It is usually fried and served with chilli condiment (sambal) and raw vegetables.
Chicken, mutton and beef are common meat. Certain parts of the population also eatdog meat, known by itseuphemismdaging jamu(literally "traditional medicine meat").
Tofuandtempeserve as the standard replacement to fish and meat. Famous dishes in Central Java includegudeg(sweet stew of jackfruit) andsayur lodeh(vegetables cooked in coconut milk).
Besides the aforementioned tofu, there is a strong Chinese influence in numerous dishes. Some examples of Sino-Javanese food includenoodles,bakso(meatballs),lumpia,sotoetc. The widespread use of sweet soybeans sauce (kecap manis) in the Javanese cuisine can also be attributed to the Chinese influence.
Central Java is connected to theTrans-Java Toll Roadwhich currently runs fromMerakinBantentoProbolinggo(planned: Banyuwangi),East-Java. Within the province the toll road starts atBrebes, continuing viaSemarangthen turn southeast toSurakartauntil east ofSragen. Along the north coast east of Semarang, theNorth Coast Road(Jalur Pantai UtaraorJalur Pantura) is the main road. Losari, the Central Javanese gate at the western border on the northern coast, could be reached fromJakartain 4 hours drive. On the southern coast, there is also a national way which run from Kroya at the Sundanese-Javanese border, throughYogyakartatoSurakartaand then to Surabaya via Kertosono in East Java. There is furthermore a direct connection fromTegaltoPurwokertoand fromSemarangtoYogyakartaandSurakarta.
Central Java was the province that first introduced a railway line in Indonesia. The very first line began in 1873 between Semarang and Yogyakarta by a private company,but this route is now no longer used. Today there are five lines in Central Java: the northern line which runs fromJakartaviaSemarangtoSurabaya. Then there is the southern line from Kroya through Yogyakarta and Surakarta to Surabaya. There is also a train service between Semarang and Surakarta and a service between Kroya and Cirebon. At last there is a route between Surakarta and Wonogiri. The line between Kutoarjo and Surakarta, the line from Cirebon to Purwokerto up to Kroya and the entire north coast line (since 2014) are double-track,while second tracks from Surakarta to Kertosono (towards Surabaya) and Purwokerto-Kroya-Kutoarjo are under construction of which the latter will be finished in 2019
.Other lines are single-track.
On the northern coast Central Java is served by 8 harbours. The main port is Tanjung Mas in Semarang, other harbours are located in Brebes, Tegal, Pekalongan, Batang, Jepara, Juwana and Rembang. The southern coast is mainly served by the port Tanjung Intan inCilacap.
Finally on mainland Central Java there are five commercial airports.  There is one additional commercial airport on the Karimunjawa isles. The airports on the mainland are:Adisumarmo International Airportin Surakarta,Jenderal Ahmad Yani International Airportin Semarang,Ngloram AirportinCepu, Blora,General Sudirman AirportinPurbalinggaandTunggul Wulung AirportinCilacap. Karimunjawa is served byDewadaru Airport.
GDPin the province of Central Java was estimated to be around $US 98 billion in 2010, with a per capita income of around $US 3,300. Economic growth in the province is quite rapid and GDP is forecast to reach $US 180 billion by 2015. The poverty rate of its people is 13% and will be decreased below 6%.
Much of Central Java is a fertile agricultural region. The primary food crop is wet rice. An elaborate irrigation network of canals, dams, aqueducts, and reservoirs has greatly contributed to Central Java's the rice-growing capacity over the centuries. In 2001, productivity of rice was 5,022 kilograms/ha, mostly provided from irrigated paddy field (± 98%).Klaten Regencyhad the highest productivity with 5525 kilograms/ha.
Other crops, also mostly grown in lowland areas on small peasant landholdings, are corn (maize), cassava, peanuts (groundnuts), soybeans, and sweet potatoes. Terraced hillslopes and irrigatedpaddy fieldsare familiar features of the landscape. Kapok, sesame, vegetables, bananas, mangoes, durian fruits, citrus fruits, and vegetable oils are produced for local consumption. Tea, coffee, tobacco, rubber, sugarcane and kapok; and coconuts are exported. Several of these cash crops at a time are usually grown on large family estates. Livestock, especially water buffalo, is raised primarily for use as draft animals. Salted and dried fish are imported.
Central Java is home to such notable state universities, which are:
The Military Academy (Akademi Militer) is located in Magelang Regency while the Police Academy (Akademi Kepolisian) is located in Semarang.
For foreign students requiring language training Salatiga has been a location for generations of students attending courses.
There are several tourism sites in Central Java.Semarangitself has many old buildings:Puri Maerokocoand theIndonesian Record Museumare located in this city.
Borobudur, which is one of theUNESCO World Cultural Heritagesites of Indonesia, is also located in this province, in theMagelang Regency.Candi MendutandCandi Pawoncan also be found near the Borobudur temple complex.
Candi Prambanan, on the border of Klaten regency and Yogyakarta is the biggest complex of Hindu temples. It is also a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. There are several temples in the region around theDieng Plateau. These date from before the era of the ancientMataram.
The Palace of the SunanKraton SurakartaandPura Mangkunegaran, are located inSurakarta, while the Grojogan Sewu waterfall is located inKaranganyar Regency. Several Majapahit temples andSangiranmuseum are also located in Central Java.
The motto of Central Java isPrasetya Ulah Sakti Bhakti Praja. This is a Javanese phrase meaning "A vow of devotion with all might to the country". The coat of arms of Central Java depicts a legendary flask,KundiAmertaorCupu Manik, formed in a pentagon representingPancasila. In the centre of the emblem stands a sharp bamboo spike (representing the fight for independence, and it has 8 sections which represent Indonesia's month of Independence) with a golden five-pointed star (representing faith in God), superimposed on the black profile of acandi(temple) with sevenstupas, while the middle stupa is the biggest. Thiscandiis reminiscent of theBorobudur. Under thecandiwavy outlines of waters are visible. Behind thecanditwo golden mountain tops are visible.
These twin mountains represents the unity between the people and their government. The emblem shows a green sky above thecandi. Above, the shield is adorned with a red and white ribbon, the colours of theIndonesian flag. Lining the left and right sides of the shield are respectively stalk of rice (17 of them, representing Indonesia's day of Independence) and cotton flowers (5 of them, each one is 4-petaled, representing Indonesia's year of Independence). At the bottom, the shield is adorned with a golden red ribbon. On the ribbon the name "Central Java" (Jawa Tengah) is inscribed in black. The floral symbol of the province is theMichelia alba, while the provincial fauna isOriolus chinensis.