The Javanese language belongs to the Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) family. They are identified as being highly ethical, both in attitude and speech. A majority of the Javanese people identify themselves as Sunni Muslims, with a small minority identifying as Christians and Hindus.
The Austronesian ancestors of the Javanese arrived perhaps as early as 3000 BC from the Kalimantan coast. Apparently, the island's agricultural bounty was renowned from the earliest times: "Java" comes from the Sanskrit Yavadvipa ("island of barley").
Javanese homelands are in the central and eastern parts of the island. The second-largest ethnic and linguistic group, the Sundanese, occupy the western part of Java.
In the fifteenth century AD, Java's north coast ports fell under the influence of Muslim Malacca, and under the rule of the descendants of non-Javanese Muslim merchants.
In the early 16th century, Islamic states had been founded in the port towns of the pasisir : Gresik, Tuban, Demak.
In 1743, the north coast of Java was fully leased to the VOC that ruled it alone, controlled the ports and regulated trade. The Dutch government took control of Java in the 1830s.
Javanese people - Native to the Indonesian island of Java
