The Regency of Banyuwangi is located at the easternmost end of the island of Java, and it is a very strategic area for one who wants to go to Bali. It is surrounded by mountainous and woody areas to the west; by sea to the east and south. Banyuwangi is only separated by a narrow strait from Bali (the Bali strait). Map of Java Java (Indonesian, Javanese, and Sundanese: Jawa) is an island of Indonesia, and the site of its capital city, Jakarta. ... Topography Map showing Bali within Indonesia Sunset at Jimbaran Beach, Bali Young Balinese Dancers Rice terraces at entrance to Gunung Kawi Temple Statue of Dewi Sri — Ubud, Bali Bali is an Indonesian island. ...

Administrative areas

The Regency of Banyuwangi consists of 19 districts:

• Banyuwangi Kota
• Glagah
• Grajagan
• Kalibaru
• Srono
• Kabat
• Glenmore
• Rogojampi
• Singojuruh
• Genteng
• Cluring
• Giri
• Kalipuro
• Pesanggaran
• Gambiran
• Wongsorejo
• Tegaldlimo
• Purwoharjo
• Sempu
• Muncar
• Songgon
• Tegalsari
• Siliragung
• Licin

Society

Banyuwangi is — as are other Indonesian areas — a heterogeneous area where many ethnic groups are mingled and live together under the same roof. One of the native groups is the Osing community which has a distinctly Hindu culture although they are considered a Javanese sub-ethnic group. They live mainly in the central part of Banyuwangi and they sometimes consider themselves as Majapahit descendants. Other groups are Javanese (living mostly in the south and west), Madurese (mainly in the north and coastal area) and Balinese (scattered but more concentrated in the east). Other smaller groups are Chinese, Buginese, Arabs etc. The Indonesian Osing people are the descendants of the Majapahit princes who refused to convert to Islam in the 16th century. ... The Majapahit Empire was based in eastern Java and ruled much of the southern Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, and Bali from about 1293 to around 1500. ... Map of Java Java (Indonesian, Javanese, and Sundanese: Jawa) is an island of Indonesia, and the site of its capital city, Jakarta. ... For the rock band, see Madura Madura is an Indonesian island off the northeastern coast of Java, near the port of Surabaya. ... The Balinese population of 4 million, or 2. ... Buginese (locally Basa Ugi, elsewhere also Bahasa Bugis, Bugis, Bugi, De) is the language spoken by about four million people, mainly in the southern part of Celebes (Sulawesi), in Indonesia. ... The Arabs (Arabic: عرب Ê»arab) are an originally Arabian ethnicity widespread in the Middle East and North Africa. ...

Culture

For its location along Java–Bali road, Banyuwangi is rich in culture, where Javanese, Madurese, Balinese and other cultures had met. This area has got unique arts, traditions and natures. Besides, Banyuwangi has its own trademark such as :

Gandrung Dance

This is a Banyuwangi-typical dance which performed by a woman and along with simple music like violin, triangle (called kluncing), Gong (or kempul), Kendhang and sometimes with keyboard as result of modern influence. It is performed during night until dawn particularly in parties.

Janger or Damarwulan

It is a traditional theatre art which has been developed since the 19th century in Banyuwangi. This theatre is a combination between Balinese, Javanese and local cultures. Balinese influences can be seen in its performers' costumes (which remind to Arja costumes)and instruments, meanwhile Javanese influences is in its "lakon" or stories as well as language in dialogues. It is distinct to Balinese Janger.

Seblang

Hadrah Kunthulan

Patrol

Pacul Gowang

Prabu Roro or Rengganis

Barong

External links

• Official site (In Indonesian)