Banyuwangi Regency

For its capital, see Banyuwangi (town).

Banyuwangi Regency Kabupaten Banyuwangi Blambangan
Regency
Other transcription(s)
• Osing	ꦑꦧꦸꦥꦠꦺꦤ꧀ꦨꦪꦸꦮꦔꦶ
Ijen volcano complex
Coat of arms
Motto(s):  ꦯꦠꦾꦨꦏ꧀ꦠꦶꦦꦿꦗꦩꦸꦏ꧀ꦠꦶ (official) Satya Bhakti Praja Mukti (devoted to the truth for the welfare of the people) The Sunrise of Java (informal)
Location within East Java
Banyuwangi Regency Location in Java and Indonesia Banyuwangi Regency Banyuwangi Regency (Indonesia)
Coordinates: 8°13′07″S 114°22′01″E
Country	Indonesia
Province	East Java
Anniversary	18 December 1771
Capital	Banyuwangi
Government
• Regent	Ipuk Fiestiandani
• Vice Regent	H. Sugirah
Area
• Total	5,782.40 km2 (2,232.60 sq mi)
Population  (mid 2023 estimate)
• Total	1,780,015
• Density	310/km2 (800/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+7 (IWST)
Area code	(+62) 333
Website	banyuwangikab.go.id

Banyuwangi Regency (Javanese: ꦑꦧꦸꦥꦠꦺꦤ꧀ꦨꦪꦸꦮꦔꦶ, romanized: Kabupatèn Banyuwangi) 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 Strait of Bali from Bali. With an area of 5,782.5 km², this regency is by far the largest on the island of 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 2023 was 1,780,015 (comprising 888,288 males and 891,727 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.

Society and history

View of Banyuwangi during colonial period

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 and coastal area) and Balinese (scattered but more concentrated in the east). Other smaller groups include Chinese, Buginese, and Arabs.

Once known as Blambangan (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 A.D. 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 Sultanate of Demak, 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 Sultanate of Mataram gained control of the territory and renamed it Banyuwangi. Tawang alun II of Balmbangan freed Balmbangan from Mataram sultanate during Trunojoyo 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 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.

Culture

The Blambangan Peninsula is one of the remaining places in Java where Hindu culture is still retained, having a Balinese influence.

Gandrung Dance

See also: Gandrung

This is a Banyuwangi-typical dance performed by a woman, accompanied with simple music from a violin, triangle (called kluncing), gong (or kempul), kendhang and sometimes keyboard as result of modern influence. It is performed during night until dawn, particularly in parties.

Janger 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.

Administrative districts

Administration of Banyuwangi Regency

At the time of the 2010 census, Banyuwangi Regency was divided into twenty-four districts (Indonesian: kecamatan), but an additional district - Blimbingsari - was subsequently created on 9 January 2017 from part of Rogojampi District. The twenty-five districts are listed below with their areas and their populations at the 2020 Census and the 2020 Census, together with the official estimates as at mid 2022. The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of villages in each district (totaling 189 rural desa and 28 urban kelurahan), and its postal codes.

Kode Wilayah	Name of District (kecamatan)	Area in km2	Pop'n Census 2010	Pop'n Census 2020	Pop'n Estimate mid 2022	Admin centre	No. of villages	Post codes
35.10.01	Pesanggaran (a)	802.50	48,412	53,373	54,117	Sumberagung	5	68488
35.10.22	Siliragung	95.15	44,390	48,678	49,331	Siliragung	5	68489
35.10.02	Bangorejo	137.43	59,442	65,709	66,642	Kebondalem	7	68487
35.10.03	Purwoharjo (b)	200.30	64,969	69,471	70,231	Purwoharjo	8	68483
35.10.04	Tegaldlimo	1,341.12	61,176	66,737	67,598	Tegaldlimo	9	68484
35.10.05	Muncar	146.07	128,924	136,425	137,778	Blambangan	10	68472
35.10.06	Cluring	97.44	70,049	77,417	78,515	Cluring	9	68482
35.10.07	Gambiran	66.77	58,412	66,187	67,287	Wringinagung	6	68486
35.10.23	Tegalsari	65.23	46,161	52,361	53,237	Tegalsari	6	68485
35.10.20	Sempu	174.83	71,281	83,100	84,714	Sempu	7	68468
35.10.10	Glenmore	421.98	69,471	75,365	76,296	Karangharjo	7	68466
35.10.11	Kalibaru	406.76	61,182	65,142	65,827	Kalibaruwetan	6	68467
35.10.09	Genteng	82.34	83,123	92,448	93,816	Gentang Wetan	5	68465
35.10.08	Srono	100.77	87,209	96,914	98,339	Sukomaju	10	68471
	Totals of southern two-thirds	3,963.86	882,920	966,227	979,014		93
35.10.13	Rogojampi	48.51	92,358	57,217	58,529	Rogojampi	10	68462
35.10.25	Blimbingsari	67.13	(c)	54,341	55,587	Blimbingsari	10	68460 & 68461
35.10.14	Kabat	94.17	67,137	63,413	63,692	Kabat	14	68461
35.10.12	Singojuruh	59.89	45,242	50,463	51,223	Singojuruh	11	68464
35.10.19	Songgon	301.84	50,275	57,077	58,037	Tegalarum	9	68463
35.10.15	Glagah	76.75	33,992	36,532	36,950	Glagah	10 (d)	68431 & 68432
35.10.24	Licin	169.25	27,878	29,460	29,748	Licin	8	68454
35.10.16	Banyuwangi (town) (e)	30.13	106,000	117,558	119,265	Tukangkayu	18 (f)	68411 - 68419
35.10.17	Giri	21.31	28,510	31,621	32,080	Mojopanggung	6 (g)	68422 - 68425
35.10.21	Kalipuro	310.03	76,178	83,685	84,822	Kalipuro	9 (h)	68421 - 68455
35.10.18	Wongsorejo (i)	464.80	74,307	77,420	78,070	Wongsorejo	12	68453
	Totals of northern third	1,818.64	673,158	741,887	752,717		124
	Totals	5,782.50	1,556,078	1,708,114	1,731,731	Banyuwangi (town)	217

Note: (a) included 10 small offshore islands. (b) includes small offshore islands of Pulau Parengan and Pulau Watulayar.
(c) The 2010 population of the new Blimbingsari District is included in the figure for Rogojampi District from which it was cut out.
(d) including 2 urban kelurahan (Bakungan and Banjarsari). (e) includes small offshore islands of Pulau Boom and Pulau Santen.
(f) all 18 are kelurahan (Kampung Mandar, Kampung Melayu, Karangrejo, Kebalenan, Kepatihan, Kertosari, Lateng, Pakis, Panderejo, Penganjuran, Pengantigan, Singonegaran, Singotrunan, Sobo, Sumber Rejo, Taman Baru, Temenggungan and Tukang Kayu).
(g) comprises 4 kelurahan (Boyolangu, Giri, Mojopanggung and Penataban) and 2 desa. (h) comprises 4 kelurahan (Bulusan, Gombengsari, Kalipuro and Klatak) and 5 desa.
(i) includes small offshore island of Pulau Tabuan.

Transportation

Banyuwangi Airport at Blimbingsari serves the regency, Banyuwangi city and surrounding area of East Java. Banyuwangi can be reached by road and rail from Surabaya or by ferry from Bali.

Tourism

Reede on Bali Street, Banjuwangi, East Java

Many European tourists visiting Bali come to Banyuwangi to surf in Plengkung and dive in Tabuhan Island. Ferries from Bali arrive at the port of Ketapang, some 8 km to the north of Banyuwangi city. Plekung Beach is also known as G-Land or green land have 3 types of waves up to 6 to 8 meters tall.

Banyuwangi International Surfing Competition 2014

This was the second time competition after the 2012 competition. 23–25 May 2014 competition is followed by at least 15 countries in Pantai Pulau Merah (Red Island Beach) which has 4 meters height and 400 meters long of waves.

Diamond Triangle

Diamond Triangle consists of:

• Ijen Crater Nature Tourist Park, we can see tosca lake crater and traditional sulphur mining which the sulphur bunch mobilization still use human to hike and down to the crater.
• Alas Purwo National Park, besides see the animals we can surf at G-Land/Plengkung with Money Trees, Speddy's, Kongs, Twenty-twenty and Tiger Track waves.
• Meru Betiri National Park, Sukamade Turtle Breeding Station regularly releases baby marine turtles to open ocean. 4 of 6 kind of turtles can be found in Indonesia regularly visit Sukamade to put their eggs. Penyu Hijau (Chelonia mydas) visit the Sukamade Beach almost everynight, Penyu Lekang (Lepidochelys olivacea) visit in March to June, Penyu Belimbing (Dermochelys coriacea) put the egg every 4 years in June to September and the scare Penyu Sisik (Eremochelys olivacea) very seldom to visit the beach.

Waterfalls

Visitors may be interested to find several waterfalls in one locality. Opened formally in 2014, there are a number of waterfalls in Kampung Anyar (New Village), near Kalibendo Plantation, around 15 kilometers from Banyuwangi on the way to Mount Ijen. There are 3 waterfalls near to each other known as the "Triple Waterfall" to be found 10 minutes walk down the stairs from a parking area. Or about 300 meters along the river, walking uphill, Kethagen Waterfall can be found. The cliff besides the river can reflect sunlight, glittering like diamonds.

Climate

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

Climate Data For Banyuwangi
Year	2013
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Av. High (Celsius)	31.7	32.3	32	31.7	31.5	30.3	29.6	29.4	30.1	32.5	31.9	31.7
Daily (Celsius)	26.7	27.7	27.4	24.8	27.5	27	26.1	26	26.3	28.2	27.4	27.2
Av. Low (Celsius)	24.1	24.7	24.3	24.8	24.7	24.4	24.6	23.3	23.6	24.7	24.6	24.4
AV. Rainfall (mm)	527.5	100.2	193.1	228.8	97.3	122.8	156	37.3	6.9	0.8	237.6	160.3
Av. Rainy Days	25	14	19	16	16	18	19	8	4	4	21	21
Source:

Wind Speed and Humidity
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Wind Speed (Knot)	3.1	3.2	3.2	3.1	3.2	2.6	3	3	2.8	3.1	2.3	2.1
Humidity (%)	86	81	82	83	84	86	82	78	77	75	82	83
Source:

Air Pressure and Sunlight Exposure
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Air Pressure (mb)	1008.7	1008.3	1010.2	1004.2	1010.2	1009.2	1011.5	1012.8	1012.8	1012.4	1009.5	1008.8
Sunlight Exposure	45	71	72	67	70	58	60	87	96	99	67	61
Source:

Environment

The forest and river in Banyuwangi is well-preserved, says the Indonesia Dragonfly Society because they found 3 dragonfly species which only can live in good environment.

Nevertheless, there are local controversies in the Regency over the impact of gold mining activities in the locality of Tumpang Pitu village. In 2006, the Banywangi regency administration granted a mining licence to one company, PT Indo Multi Niaga, which later transferred the licence to another company. However, the local community had expressed concern about gold mining activities as early as 1997. The issues partly related to the protection of the area around a local Hindu temple, partly relate to environmental matters, and partly related to local community views about the economic and social impact of the mining. In addition, in Banyuwangi town, Kertosari kelurahan has a Multimedia training center for Vocational High Schools (Vocational High Schools) in Industrial Work Practices in the field of Television, through a place where millennials are creative who are members of Misntv (Media Inspirasi Sahabat Nusantara Televisi). This media is a Media Streaming Network, under the auspices of Mav Entertainment Corporation and Lembaga Sahadat-Qu, which aims to create a new workforce in the field of Television and Journalism that is reliable. The location of the Misntv office is on Jl. Ikan Banyar No. 91 RT. 03 RW. 03 Krajan Kertosari. Hopefully with this training center it can improve the economy at the UMKM level and the younger generation is able to compete in the digital era. Online Access via YouTube Misntv and Mav Entertainment Corporation

Gallery

• 
  Ijen Crater
• 
  G-land, one of world's most famous surf break spot beach situated on Alas Purwo National Park

External links

Banyuwangi travel guide from Wikivoyage

• (in Indonesian) Official site Banyuwangi site