
Overview
01Overview
Banyuwangi Regency is a regency of East Java province in Indonesia. This regency also known as the sun rise of Java because it is located at the easternmost end of Java Island. The town of Banyuwangi serves as a port for ferry services between Java and Bali. The regency is surrounded by mountains and forests to the west; by sea to the east and south - is separated by the Bali Strait from Bali. With an area of 5,782.50 km2, this regency is the third largest on the island of Java after Cianjur Regency and Sukabumi Regency in West Java. The regency is a tourist destination, and subject to ongoing development as an international tourist destination with relevant infrastructure. Banyuwangi regency has been declared a taman bumi (earth park), or national geological park (Geopark) in 2018.
It had a population of 1,488,791 according to the 2000 Census; by the 2010 Census it had risen to 1,556,078; and at the 2020 Census to 1,708,114; the official estimate as at mid 2025 was 1,812,709 (comprising 903,755 males and 908,954 females). The town of Banyuwangi is the administrative capital. The name Banyuwangi is Javanese for "fragrant waters", connected to the Javanese folklore of Sri Tanjung.
Culture
01Culture
The Blambangan Peninsula is one of the remaining places in Java where Hindu culture is still retained, having a Balinese influence.
02Gandrung Dance
This is a Banyuwangi-typical dance performed by a woman, accompanied with simple music from a violin, triangle (called ), gong (or kempul), kendhang and sometimes keyboard as result of modern influence. It is performed during night until dawn, particularly in parties.
03Janger or Damarwulan
Damarwulan is a legendary hero who features in traditional theatre art, which has been developed since the 19th century in Banyuwangi. It is a combination of Balinese, Javanese and local cultures. Balinese influences can be seen in its performers' costumes and instruments. Meanwhile, Javanese influences is in its "lakon" or stories as well as language in dialogues. It is distinct from the Balinese Janger dance.
History
01Society and history
View of Banyuwangi during colonial period The Luhur Giri Salaka Hindu temple in Tegaldlimo
One Banyuwangi native group is the Osing community which has a Hindu culture although they can be considered as 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, west, and coastal area) and Balinese (scattered but more concentrated in the east). Other smaller groups include Chinese, Buginese, and Arabs.
Once known as Blambangan Kingdom (or its variation: Balambangan and Balumbungan), it was a vassal of the Majapahit Kingdom and a regional trade centre. Blambangan's autonomy grew considerably after the end of 14th century AD. After the Majapahit Kingdom ceased to exist, it became an independent kingdom and, as such, the last Hindu kingdom of Java. In order to defend itself from the troops of the Demak Sultanate, which tried to occupy it, Blambangan asked for help from Balinese kings, which caused it to lose its independence to Balinese kingdoms. During this time Blambangan was deeply influenced by Balinese culture. After around 150 years of Balinese occupation, the Mataram Sultanate gained control of the territory and renamed it Banyuwangi. Tawangalun II of Blambangan freed Blambangan from Mataram sultanate during Trunajaya revolt and built the capital of Macan Putih, near modern day Banyuwangi. Later, it was part of the Mataram territory controlled by the VOC (1770). During the expansion of plantations in the 19th century, many parts of Banyuwangi were planted with coffee and sugar cane, which feature its landscape even now. The Chinese and Arabs came mostly during this period.
Banyuwangi people are known for their combination of Islamic and pre-Islamic tradition.
During the Fall of Suharto, a witchhunt in Banyuwangi (town) against alleged sorcerers spiraled into widespread riots and violence. In addition to alleged sorcerers, Islamic clerics were also targeted and killed, and Nahdlatul Ulama members were murdered by rioters.
Geography
01Climate
Banyuwangi has a temperate tropical and wet dry climate, similar to Banyuwangi's dry season start from May until October, and the rest is wet season. in 2013, Banyuwangi's highest average temperature is on October with 28.2 °C and lowest average temperature is on April with 24.8 °C