The Sundanese people are an ethnic group native to the western part of the island of Java, primarily living in the provinces of West Java and Banten. As the second-largest ethnic group in Indonesia after the Javanese, the Sundanese have a rich cultural history that predates the formation of the modern Indonesian state. Historical records indicate that Sundanese civilization flourished centuries ago. An inscription dating back to the 4th century AD refers to the sovereignty of King Purnawarman of the Tarumanagara Kingdom.
INTRODUCTION TO THE SUNDANESE
The Sundanese people have made significant contributions to Indonesian culture. Their heritage dates back to at least the 5th century AD with the rise of the Tarumanagara Kingdom, which established trade connections as far as China. Over the centuries, several Sundanese kingdoms rose and fell, until the region came under Dutch colonial rule for approximately 350 years. During colonial times, Sundanese territories became major exporters of spices, coffee, quinine, rubber, and tea.
LOCATION
The Sundanese population exceeds 30 million, with the vast majority residing on the island of Java. Although Java is relatively small, it serves as Indonesia’s administrative and economic hub. The Javanese dominate the central and eastern regions of the island, while the Sundanese are the majority in the western part, particularly in West Java. This region covers approximately 43,177 square kilometers (16,670 square miles), about half the size of Greater Los Angeles. Its geography includes flat northern coasts, hilly southern areas, and a mountainous central region dotted with volcanoes.
LANGUAGE
Most Sundanese are bilingual, fluent in both their native Sundanese language and Indonesian, the national language. Sundanese is typically spoken in daily life and among family or friends, while Indonesian is used in formal or public settings. Both languages belong to the Austronesian language family.
The Sundanese language is known for its variety of dialects and levels of speech, which reflect social hierarchy. Different words and expressions are used depending on whether one is addressing a peer, an elder, or someone of lower status. While most people use two or three levels of formality, older generations may use up to four.
Naming customs also vary widely. Some Sundanese people have only a single name, while others use both a first and last name. Although women do not legally change their names after marriage, it is common for them to be addressed as “Mrs. [husband’s name].”
FOLKLORE
Folklore and mythology are vital to Sundanese cultural identity. Stories are passed down through oral traditions, puppet shows, literature, films, and comic books. These tales often describe the history of local kingdoms or explain natural landmarks such as lakes and mountains. Some, like the Ramayana, are of Hindu origin.
One famous local legend is that of Nyi Roro Kidul, the Queen of the South Seas. According to the story, she was a 14th-century princess of the Pajajaran Kingdom, cursed by her father due to her insatiable thirst for power. The curse granted her great power but limited it to the South Seas. She was then transformed into the beautiful sea goddess, Nyi Roro Kidul, who is said to rule beneath the waves off the southern coast of West Java. Fishermen and swimmers are warned not to wear green near the coast, as those who do may be taken by the sea queen and never return.
RELIGION
The vast majority of Sundanese people are Sunni Muslims, though some are Catholic or Protestant. Many Muslims in the region observe daily prayers, fast during Ramadan, and aspire to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage. Mosques are found in every neighborhood, and the call to prayer is broadcast throughout towns and cities.
Despite the prevalence of Islam, traditional rituals—especially those related to agriculture—often contain elements of pre-Islamic beliefs, including influences from Hinduism and indigenous Sundanese spirituality.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Sundanese possess a vibrant and diverse cultural legacy. Many popular Indonesian artists and musicians come from Sundanese backgrounds. Traditional music styles coexist with modern influences, such as electronic dance beats. One notable traditional genre is degung, performed with a simplified gamelan ensemble combining gentle percussion instruments and flutes.
Another iconic musical instrument is the angklung, made of bamboo tubes that produce melodic tones when shaken. Angklung orchestras remain a distinctive feature of Sundanese performances.
In literature, one of the oldest surviving forms is the pantun cerita, a type of narrative poetry composed of rhyming couplets that recount tales of ancient Sundanese heroes. In modern times, novels and contemporary literary forms have also flourished among Sundanese writers.