The name Banyuwangi itself, was taken by the traditional folk tale about Princess Sritanjung who has

been killed by her husband on the edge of the river because her husband was doubt about his child who
was conceived by Princess Sritanjung. By taking her oath Princess sritanjung swore to the husband, if her
blood that was flowing on this river smells fishy, then it proves that the child it does not belong to the
prince. But if the blood was smells good or [wangi in Javanese language] then this child was belong to the
prince. Unfortunately, the blood was smells good and the prince, whose named Raden Banterang, was
regret his doubt. After that, he name the river as Banyuwangi or fragrant water. That is the origin story
tale about Banyuwangi.
Banyuwangi is one of regencies in East Java Province. Located on the eastern tip of Java Island near Bali
Strait on the east. In fact, the Ketapang harbor is the only way to connect to Gilimanuk harbor in Bali
Island.
Banyuwangi is the largest regency in East Java. The area is diverse, from the lowlands to the mountains.
It is surrounded by mountainous and woody areas to the west; by sea to the east and south. It also near the
border area with Bondowoso, there are also series of Ijen Plateau, with Raung peak and Mount Merapi,
are both active volcanoes.
Like any other area in Indonesia, Bnayuwangi is the place of some ethnics who are peacefully living
under the same roof with different way of life. One of local inhabitant who live in Banyuwangi is Osing
ethnic, they are groups which has a distinctly Hindu culture although they can be considered as a Javanese
sub-ethnic group. The live on the center part of Banyuwangi and they believe that they are the descendant
of Majapahit Kingdom. Other ethnics are about Javanese, Madurese, and Balinese. There are also a minor
group of Bugis, Tionghoa and Arab.
Most inhabitant use Osing language, which is the eldest type of Javanese language but it reflected by
Balinese language and culture.
Dates back to early history, Banyuwangi history can not be separated from the history of the Kingdom
Blambangan. In the mid-17th century, Banyuwangi is part of the Blambangan kingdom, led by Prince
Tawang Alun.
Administratively, at this period, VOC was considered Blambangan as their territory region, based on the
handover constitution of the Eastern Java by Pakubuwono II to the VOC.
The name Banyuwangi itself, was taken by the traditional folk tale about Princess Sritanjung who has
been killed by her husband on the edge of the river because her husband was doubt about his child who
was conceived by Princess Sritanjung. By taking her oath Princess sritanjung swore to the husband, if her
blood that was flowing on this river smells fishy, then it proves that the child it does not belong to the
prince. But if the blood was smells good or [wangi in Javanese language] then this child was belong to the
prince. Unfortunately, the blood was smells good and the prince, whose named Raden Banterang, was
regret his doubt. After that, he name the river as Banyuwangi or fragrant water. That is the origin story
tale about Banyuwangi.
By the cultural diversity among the ethnics that live on Banyuwangi, Banyuwangi become rich in culture,
where Javanese, Madurese, Balinese and other cultures had met. This area has got unique arts, traditions
and natures. And those are finally make a particular culture from Banyuwangi.
As I mentioned before, banyuwangi has some unique tourism destination include of mountains and
beaches, and some of historical sites.
HISTORY
Referring to existing historical data, throughout the history of Blambangan presumably on 18 December
1771 is the oldest historical event that should be appointed as the anniversary of Banyuwangi, the peak
event of the Puputan Bayu war.
Once upon a time, there was a local ruler named King Sulahkromo. The king had a Prime Minister named
Raden Sidopekso. The Prime Minister had a wife named Sri Tanjung. She was so beautiful that the king
wanted her to be his wife.
One day, the King sent his Prime Minister to a long mission. While the Prime Minister was away, the
King tried to get Sri Tanjung. However he failed. He was very angry. Thus, when Sidopekso went back,
the King told him that his wife was unfaithful to him. The Prime Minister was very angry with his wife.
Sri Tanjung said that it was not true. However, Sidopekso said that he would kill her. He brought her to
the river bank. Before he kill her and threw her into the river, she said that her innocence would be proven
After Sidopekso killed her, he threw her dead body into the dirty river.
The river immediately became clean and began to spread a wonderful fragrance. Sidopekso said,
“Banyu…Wangi… Banyuwangi”. This means “fragrant water”. Banyuwangi was born from the proof of
noble and sacred love.
LOCATION
Banyuwangi is the easternmost district in East Java. To the north lies the Situbondo Regency. Jember and
Bondowoso districts neighboring Banyuwangi in the west. On the east lies the island of Bali and to the
west lies the Indonesian Ocean. Banyuwangi is located at coordinates 70 45 '15 "S and 113 '38.2" E.
Because of its location, Banyuwangi has a diverse natural landscape, rich arts, culture, customs and
traditions.
to the north is Situbondo Regency, to the east is the Bali Strait, to the south is the Indonesian Ocean and
the west is bordered by Jember and Bondowoso Regencies.
The mainland area consists of highlands in the form of mountains which are regions producing plantation
products; and lowlands with a variety of potential agricultural products and the area around the coastline
stretching from north to south which is a region producing various marine biota.
CULTURE
There the native Banyuwangi people have their own dialect which is commonly called Osing language so
it is called osing people
The majority population of Banyuwangi District is the Osing Tribe
Banyuwangi also has a variety of arts, culture, customs and traditions. One of Banyuwangi's special arts is
Gandrung, a welcoming dance for honored guests. This dance is a decisive dance Banyuwangi. Besides
Gandrung, Seblang, Kuntulan, Damarwulan, Angklung, Ketoprak, Barong, Kendang Kempul, Jaranan are
arts that can be seen in Banyuwangi. Other customs that can be observed in Banyuwangi include sea
offerings, metik (celebrations performed before rice and coffee harvesting), Rebo Wekasan, Kebo
Visiting Banyuwangi, Real Tropical Country, Ruwatan, Tumplek punjen, Gredoan, Endog-endogan, etc.
These events are held annually and are included in the Banyuwangi Calendar of Events. Traditional
handicrafts and traditional foods are available at Banyuwangi. Products and places to visit are Batik
Written in Temenggungan and Tempo, bamboo handicrafts in Rogojampi and Kalipuro Districts, etc.
Banyuwangi also has special food products; like biscuits, banana jam (etc.)
POPULATION
Banyuwangi Regency with an area of 5,782.50 km², in 2018 consists of 25 Districts, 28 Kelurahans and
189 villages, 87 Environments and 751 Hamlets, 2,839 Citizen Associations (RW) and 10,569
Neighborhood Associations (RT). In 2018 the population of Banyuwangi Regency was 1,735,845 people,
consisting of 864,124 women and 871,721 men, with a sex ratio of 100.9%. The population is spread in
25 Subdistricts namely Pesanggaran, Bangorejo, Purwoharjo, Tegaldlimo, Muncar, Cluring, Gambiran,
Srono, Genteng, Glenmore, Kalibaru, Singojuruh, Rogojampi, Kabat, Glagah, Banyuwangi, Giri,
Wongsorjo, Songgon, Genteng, Glenmore, Kalibaru, Singojuruh, Rogojampi, Kabat, Glagah,
Banyuwangi, Giri, Wongsorjo, Songgon, Sempo, Kalipuro, Silipagung, Siliragung , Tegalsari, Licin and
Baru District, Blimbingsari District
JOB
Banyuwangi Regency with an area of 5,782.50 km2, in 2018 consisted of 25 Districts, 28 Kelurahans and
189 villages, 87 neighborhoods and 751 hamlets, 2,839 neighborhood units (RW) and 10,569
neighborhood units (RT). In 2018 the population of Banyuwangi Regency was 1,735,845 people. With a
population of this size, many residents of Banyuwangi Regency work in the agriculture / livestock /
fisheries and entrepreneurship sectors (data from the Department of Population and Civil Registration)
IJEN
Ijen Crater or Kawah Ijen is another volcanic tourism attraction in Indonesia. Ijen Crater (Kawah Ijen) is a
famous tourism object, which has been known by the domestic and foreign tourists because of the
beautiful and charming nature. It is 5,466 hectares, 2,386 meters high from the depth of the sea, with a 92
hectares tourism forest. Its temperature is between 2 to 8 degree centigrade and the crater area lies at
2.386 meters above sea level (mdpl).
There are many beautiful species of plants that can be found there, such as; the edelweiss flower and the
Casuarina Junghu (cemara gunung), etc. Various animals can also be seen in the area like jungle fowl
(ayam hutan) and porcupine (landak).
The Ijen Crater lies about 68km from the town center. There are some of facilities here such as: a
campground, a shelter and Tourist Information Center (TIC) etc.
The best time to enjoy the crater scenery is at morning, when the yellow sunlight glows the yellow water
and shines the surrounding mountain like mount Merapi, the sister of Mount Ijen. Morning haze is
creating a tranquility that we don’t get at the metropolitan towns. At 2 pm, the crater is closed for the
reason that the thick smoke from the crater that is poisonous.
How to get to Ijen Crater
There are two alternatives route to get to Ijen Crater, the first is from Banyuwangi to Licin – Jambu –
Patulding. Its about 38 kilometers from Banyuwangi, but the road is bad. The second is from Bondowoso
– Wonosari – Sempol – Patulding, about 70 kilometers with better road. It is suggested to go from
Bondowoso.
Visiting from Bondowoso route, the tourists will travel across a coffee plantation. It has beautiful view
either. The green of Arabica coffee trees are really an exciting scene to enjoy.
To reach Ijen Crater from Surabaya, we can use the public transportation with the route as follow:
- Surabaya – Bondowoso : 180 km with public bus
- Bondowoso – Paltuding : 68 km with public transport
- Paltuding - to the location : 2 km on foot
SEGO TEMPONG
Tempong rice or familiar with the term Sego tempong is a Banyuwangi specialty food in the form of a
collection of boiled vegetables such as spinach, kenikir and basil leaves and tofu, tempeh, fried corn
bakwan, and fried jambal fish flour. The rice is then poured with peanut sauce. The distinctive feature is
the smell of kencur which is felt from the chili [1]. But some are using chili paste which is also very
spicy. [2] [3]
SEBLANG OLEHSARI
Banyuwangi has two kinds of Seblang ceremonies. They are Seblang Oleh Sari and Seblang Bakungan.
Seblang Ritual is one of public ritual of Using community that can found in two villages in Glagah
district, Banyuwangi, that is Bakungan and Olihsari. This ritual is held for pray and wishfull to the God,
in order to get the welfare and secure. This ritual is as same as Sintren ritual in Cirebon area, Jaran
Kepang and Sanghyang in Bali Island.
Seblang dance in both villages has different time, in Olihsari village usually held a week after Id Fitr,
while in Bakungan held a week after Id Adha. The dancers are chosen by a supernatural man and usually,
the dancers must come from the previous dancers. In Olihsari village, the dancers must young girls, while
in Bakungan the dancers must women in 50 years old above who get menopause.
This Seblang dance actually is very old tradition, so it difficult to know about its history. But based on a
source, the first Seblang dancer is Semi, who is the beginner woman of Gandrung dancer (die in 1973).
After she got secure from her disease, then her mother promise (Mak Midah or Mak Milah) must be done,
Semi finally became Seblang in her childhood till younger, she was Gandrung dancer.