CULTURE AND ARTS CENTRAL JAVA

      Central Java is a province of Indonesia, located in the central part of Java Island. The province is bordered by West Java province in the west, the Indian Ocean and Yogyakarta in the south, East Java in the east, and the Java Sea in the north. The total area of its 32 548 km², or approximately 25.04% of the size of the island of Java. Central Java province also includes the island of Nusakambangan in the south (near the border with West Java), and Karimun Java in the Java Sea.
Definition of Central Java geographically and culturally sometimes also include the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Central Java is known as the "heart" of Javanese culture. Nevertheless in this province there are other tribes who have a different culture with the Javanese like Sundanese on the border with West Java. In addition there are also Chinese citizens-Indonesian, Arabic-Indonesia and India-Indonesia scattered throughout the province. 

    The majority of people in Central Java is Javanese. Central Java is known as the cultural center of Java, where in the city of Surakarta and Yogyakarta are central Java royal palace that still stands to this day. Significant minority are the Chinese, especially in urban areas although in rural areas were also found. In general, they are engaged in trade and services. Chinese community has been mixed with Javanese, and many of those who use the Java language with a thick accent daily. Also in some big cities in Central Java also found Arabic-Indonesian community. Similar to the Chinese community, they are usually engaged in trade and services. On the border with West Java, there are also people who will be full Sundanese Sundanese culture, especially in the area of ​​Cilacap, Brebes and Banyumas. In the interior of Blora (the border with the province of East Java) are Samin isolated communities, the case is almost the same as the Baduy in Banten.

     Although Bahasa Indonesia is the official language, generally mostly using Java language as an everyday language. Javanese dialect Solo-Jogja considered a standard Java language. In addition there are a number of Java language dialect; but generally consists of two, namely kulonan and easterlies. Kulonan spoken in the western part of Central Java, consisting of Dialect Banyumasan and Dialects Tegal; This dialect has a pronunciation quite different from standard Java language. Easterlies being spoken in the eastern part of Central Java, of which consists of Dialect Solo, Semarang dialect. On the border between the two dialects, spoken language Java with a mixture of both dialects; the area of which is Pekalongan and Kedu. In areas populated Sunda, which is in the southern part of Brebes and Cilacap districts around the northern districts Dayeuhluhur, Sundanese people still use Sundanese language in their daily lives.

A wide variety of dialects found in Central Java:
1. dialect Pekalongan
2. dialect Kedu
3. dialect Bagelen
4. dialects Semarang
5. The North East Coast dialect (Jepara, Rembang, Demak, Kudus, Pati)
6. dialect Blora
7. dialect Surakarta
8. dialect Yogyakarta
9. dialect Madiun
10. Banyumasan dialect (Ngapak)
11. dialect Tegal-Brebes

GAMELAN JAVA: 

       Culture Hindu Javanese gamelan is composed by Sunan Bonang, in order to encourage a love of life in transcendental (Nature Malakut) "Tombo Ati" is one of the works Sunan Bonang. Until now, the song is still sung by the value of the teachings of Islam, also on the dramas such as: Puppet, lavatory Marriage and ritual culture palace.

WAYANG KULIT :

     Puppet art in its original form arose before entry in Indonesia Hindu culture and Hindu era began developing in Java. Performing Arts puppets are the remnants of Javanese religious ceremonies are remnants of animism and dynamisme. According to the Centini, about the origin of puppet Purwa mentioned that the art of puppetry, initially once created by King Jayabaya of the Kingdom Mamenang / Kediri. Around the 10th century King Jayabaya trying to create a picture of ancestral spirits and inscribed on palm leaves. Shape of the puppet picture copied from a picture relief Ramayana story on temple Penataran in Blitar. The story of Ramayana is very attention because Jayabaya including staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, even by people regarded as the embodiment or incarnation of Vishnu. Figure figure is depicted for the first time or Sang Hyang Guru Jagadnata that is the embodiment of Lord Vishnu.

KERIS:

     Keris among the community in Java is represented as a symbol of "manhood" and sometimes, if for some reason the groom was unable to attend the wedding ceremony of the meeting, he represented a keris. Keris is a symbol of heritage. In the Java community calendar mengirabkan featured heritage palace is the greatest trust on the day of the sura. Keris or spear heritage is featured that its potency is not only because it is made from elements of steel, iron, nickel, and even mixed with elements of rock meteoroids that fell from the sky so sturdy strong, but how to make it along to the accompaniment of a prayer to the creator of nature (God SWT) with the spiritual apaya duatu by the master. So the spiritual power of nature creator was also believed to be the magical powers or containing dagger that can affect the opponent becomes frightened to users of the heirloom weapons.