Banjar (or Banjarese)

The Banjar (or Banjarese) are a coastal, native ethnic group that settled in Tanah Laut and Banjarmasin in the south and in Hulu Sungai in the north of South Kalimantan, Indonesia, the second largest city on the island of Borneo. Several centuries ago, some of them had travelled to many places in the Malay archipelago. They set up pockets of settlement there, in Perak (mostly in Parit Buntar and Teluk Intan region), Selangor around (Sabak Bernam and Sungai Besar), in Johor (Batu Pahat), in Medan as well as other places. The Banjarese people are made up of the native Dayaks and other Malays from Sumatra and the Java.


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History
The Proto-Malay people migrated to Kalimantan/Borneo in 2500 BC. They were the ancestors of the Dayak people (Ot Danum). In 2500 BC, the Deutero Malay migrated to Kalimantan/Borneo. The Malay people from Sumatra brought their culture to Kalimantan/Borneo in 400 AD. The fusion of the cultures saw the birth of the Benjar Hulu language. Later, in 520 AD, the Malays formed the Buddhist Kingdom of Tanjungpuri in the present-day region of Tanjung, Tabalong.

In 1200 AD, Empu Jatmika built the Hindu Kingdom of Negara Dipa by the river of Tapin. This was the start of the Javanese-style courts in South Kalimantan. The Hindu era in South Kalimantan remained the most remembered period in South Kalimantan's history. The glory of Negara Dipa was succeeded by the Hindu Kingdom of Negara Daha in 1400 AD.

According to history, Prince Samudera, the rightful heir to the kingdom of Negara Daha, was forced to flee the court of because of his uncle's revolt against him. He was accepted by the people of Bandar Masih (Bandar=port, Masih=Malay people). Supported by the Sultanate of Demak, he formed a new Islamic Benjar Kingdom in 1526 with Bandar Masih as its capital. The name of Bandar Masih was later changed to Benjarmasin.

Sub divisions

The division of Banjar people into 3 ethnicities is based on the locations of the assimilation between the Malays, the local Dayaks (Dayak Bukit, Dayak Ma’anyan, Dayak Lawangan, Dayak Ngaju, Dayak Barangas, and Bakumpai), and the Javanese.

1. The Banjar Pahuluan, who live in the valleys by the upriver of Meratus mountain ranges. They make their living from agriculture.
2. The Banjar Batang Banyu, who live in the valleys by the river of Negara. They are proud of their position as the people of the ancient capital. They are also prominent merchants.
3. The Banjar Kuala, who live in Banjarmasin and Martapura. They are the people of the new capital.

The Benjar language (bjn) reflects the history of people. It is basically the Malay language brought from Sumatra, with some words that are taken from Javanese and the native Dayaks.

The relationship between Banjar people and the neighboring Dayaks have always been good. Some of the Dayaks who had converted to Islam have also assimilated into the Banjar culture and call themselves Banjar. The Dayaks also think of the Banjars as their brothers and sisters. This is further strengthened by the fact there are many inter-marriages between the Banjars and the Dayaks, even among the members of the royalty. For example, Biang Lawai, a wife of a Banjar king was of Dayak Ngaju ethnicity. This means that the Banjarese Kings and Queens have Dayaks lineage in their blood.

This relationship grew strong when both ethnicities faced colonization by the Dutch in the 18th century. They became comrades in an age of war. Some of the warriors involved in Banjar War are of Dayak ethnicities or have Dayaks lineage in their blood. For example:

1. Panglima Batur, who was of Dayak Siang Murung ethnicity,
2. Panglima Wangkang, whose his father was a Dayak Bakumpai and whose mother was a Banjar,
3. Panglima Batu Balot (Tumenggung Marha Lahew), a female warrior who attacked Fort Muara Teweh in 1864-1865.

Singapore
The Banjar people originated from the southern and eastern coast of Kalimantan in Borneo. Most came from Banjarmasin in the area surrounding the Barito basin. These areas were used for the cultivation of paddy. The Banjarese who migrated to the Malay Peninsula were farmers who were experienced in paddy cultivation. They also migrated to spread Islam to the region, to escape poverty and the oppressive Dutch rule of their homeland. Some also wanted to escape the presence of wild animals that threatened their farms in Kalimantan.

The Banjarese generally did not like to be employees. They preferred to be self-employed, working as either farmers or businessmen. The Banjar were also well known as jewel cutters and dealers in the region. Many came to Singapore to deal in the jewellery trade and had their shops in Arab Street. They even formed a Kalimantan Association in Singapore.

The Banjarese made up a very small percentage of the Malay population in Singapore. In 1931, they numbered 445 out of a total Malay population of 65,104 (0.7%). In 1947, they formed only 0.3 % of the population. This dropped to 0.2% in 1957 and 0.1% in 1970. By 1980 and 1990, the total numbers could not be determined, probably because the Banjarese have effectively assimilated into the Malay community

Malaysia

They set up pockets of settlement there, in Perak (mostly in Parit Buntar and Teluk Intan region), Selangor around (Sabak Bernam and Sungai Besar), in Johor (Batu Pahat), in Medan as well as other places.

January 24, 2009
Orang Banjar (Berunai Banjarmasin) Di Semenanjung Malaysia

Suku kaum Banjar ini selalu dikaitkan dengan suku kaum Melayu Berunai dari Berunai.

Ini disebabkan Kesultanan Banjarmasin, kini dipanggil Kalimantan Indonesia dan dibahagi kepada 4 provinsi iaitu Kalimantan Barat (Pontianak), Kalimantan Tengah (Palangkaraya), Kalimantan Selatan (Banjarmasin) dan Kalimantan Timur (Samarinda), diasaskan oleh seorang putera Sultan Berunai.

Banjarmasin lesap dari tangan Empayar Sultan Berunai dalam tahun 1824 apabila negara itu menerima perlindungan Raja Belanda.

Kesultanan Banjarmasin dan sub-kesultanannya seperti Sambas, Pontianak, Sukadana, Kota Waringin dan Kutai dimansuhkan oleh penjajah Belanda, dan wilayah Banjarmasin akhirnya merdeka sebagai wilayah Kalimantan dalam Indonesia.

Orang Banjar dan orang Berunai telah berkurun-kurun lamanya menetap di kawasan lain sub-benua Melayu (atau sub-benua Nusantara).

Mereka banyak merantau dan menetap di seluruh Pulau Sumatera iaitu di negeri Aceh, Deli, Kampar, Minangkabau, Bengkulu, Jambi dan Lampung, serta berkahwin dengan penduduk Melayu Asli Sumatera iaitu orang Batak, Minangkabau, Temuan dan Seletar.

Mereka juga banyak merantau dan menetap di tanah besar Melayu (iaitu Semenanjung Tanah Melayu), terutamanya di Johor dan Selangor.

Orang Banjar bukan sahaja berketurunan suku kaum Melayu Asli Berunai tetapi juga suku kaum Melayu Asli Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Kenyah, Kelabit, Murut dan Kadazandusun.

Orang Banjar yang menetap di Sumatera dan Semenanjung amat pandai menanam padi. Mereka juga mahir dalam seni kraf tradisional terutama kraf barangan besi.

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