Reasons behind the similarity in culture between Baweanese and Malays

(Qurban)

It is not surprising that the culture of the Bawean people is similar in many ways with that of the Malays (here I am referring to Malay ethnic group i.e. the Malays in Singapore, Malaysia and Riau Lingga including part of Sumatra). The Baweanese and the Malays are originated from the same ancestors (i.e. from the people of mainland Asia) and practice the same belief (i.e. Islaam)! According to history, the evidences that have been uncovered by archaeology clearly showed that in prehistoric times, the Malay Peninsula formed part of a land bridge for successive waves of migrants moving from the Asian mainland southwards towards Indonesia and Australia.

(Two relatives related by marriage met during Eid - One Javanese and the other a Baweanese wearing the button-up with Mandarin collar-like shirt)

In a history text book, "Jessy: Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei 1400-1965" by Joginder Singh (2nd revised edition 1974, Publisher: Longman Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur), it mentioned that the first of these migrants may have been living in the Peninsula as long as five hundred thousand years B.C. Then a new group of people arrived from the Indo-China in about 8,000 B.C. Their descendants are the Senoi and the Semang aborigines of modern Malaysia. Then there were the migrants from the north from Southern China about five thousand years ago, bringing with them an advanced Stone Age culture. They are known as the Proto-Malays (i.e. Melayu asli) and they are the ancestors of the present Malays (Deutero Malays -i.e. the Malays with mixed blood) of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

(Surah Al-Fatiha, the opening of Al-Quraan -the sacred book of Islaam)

Hence, the Baweanese and the Malays are the likeness of two cousins sharing the same grandfather! It is the same too for the other ethnic groups in this Nusantara region such as the Achenese, Bataks, Bugis, Minangkabaus, Banjarees, Javanese, Balinese, Ambonese, etc…. However, like the majority of Achenese, Bugis, Minangkabaus, Javanese and Banjarees, the Baweanese and the Malays in the Malay Peninsula (including Singapore) and Riau Lingga are Muslims. (Take note: the Malays [here I am referring to the Malay race] in the Philippines are majority Catholics/Christians - Filipinos too belong to several Asian ethnic groups, grouped within the Malay or Malayo-Polynesian speaking people, who speak Austronesian languages. The concept of Malay race is not the same as in the concept of Malay ethnic group)

(During a Baweanese matrimonial ceremony -1980s)

(Aqad Nikah)

(Bersanding)

This is another reason the Baweanese culture (as well as the other ethnic groups with Muslims majority as mentioned above) is very much similar –almost the same as the Malay culture. For example, 'Aqiqa, Qurban, Eid, Aqad Nikah, Circumcise, Thanks-giving (Doa Selamat), Tahlil, etc… are derived from the Islamic culture. However, the way they are being performed varies.

('Aqiqa)

For example, in 'Aqiqa, to the Baweanese, it is always necessary to perform even though they know that it is not compulsory. Grand ceremony pertaining to the birth of a newborn is held because they feel greatly indebted to Almighty Allah for giving them off-spring to continue their lineage. Often there will be ''Berzanji'' – the reciting of the History of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. in the ceremony, remembering and honouring the struggles and sacrifices made by the beloved Prophet of Islam s.a.w. They want to emulate closely the good act of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. The Baweanese are strong believer of Islam and among their strongest characteristic pertaining to this, is their proficiency in reciting Al-Quraan with perfect ‘Tajwid’. There are many ''Hafiz'' among them. Generally, they are very good in ‘Berzanji’ and have good voice.

(Berzanji)

However, I was told by my late grandfather that before Islam, the Bawean Islanders practiced Shamanism (a range of traditional beliefs and practices concerned with communication with the spirit world). Then a pious Muslim (believed to be Middle-eastern) came to the Bawean Island and taught Islam to the Islanders. Gradually, the Bawean people accepted Islam and finally 100% of the inhabitants became Muslims. As a little girl, I used to hear the Pondok people talking about the Mystical Bawean Island. They said that non-Muslims would not get out of the Island alive once they stepped into it and air-planes could not fly over the island - it would crash! Is it true?... I have no comment.

(A typical Baweanese meal)

In many occasions, likewise the Bugis, Javanese, Minangkabaus and others, the Bawean people and the Malays shared the same culture and traditions with certain differences -the likeness of the similarity in appearance of two cousins due to sharing the same grandparents but not parents. For example in the art of self-defense, the Bawean people called it “Pokolan” and use the “Parang” while the Malays called it “Pencak Silat” and use the “Keris”. Look at their dishes; the Malays called the red chili soupy gravy, ‘Asam Pedas’ but the Baweanese called it ‘Kela Tomes’ –the dishes look the same but taste different due to the portion of ingredients used.

(Notice the Baweanese teenage wearing green Baju Kurong while behind her, is a Baweanese woman wearing the kebaya and sarong batik -1990s)

How about their attire? –the traditional older generation Baweanese women prefer sarong batik and kebaya than the Malay Baju Kurong. It is only the younger generation wears Baju Kurong, thinking that it is the traditional dress which is not. The traditional costume of the Baweanese is the kebaya and sarong batik for the females whereas for the guys is the button-up shirt with a Mandarin collar-like and sarong 'pelekat' or pants –there is no 'kain samping'…. just like any other typical traditional Indonesian attire!

(A Baweanese couple from Ipoh, Perak in traditional attire -1970s)

Gradually, through the years the differences in culture between the Baweanese of Singapore (as well as the Baweanese of Malaysia) and the Malays (of these two countries), lessen due to intermarriage between the people in these two ethnic groups. This is another reason the Baweanese culture are almost the same as the Malays. Similar case happened to the other ethnic groups living in the Malay community. Today the differences in culture between these ethnic groups are minimal that some of them in this community identify themselves as Malays, especially to the Chinese, Indians, Eurasians and foreigners. The reason given behind this, is that it save them from the trouble of explaining about their true ethnicity background.