BY THE REV. J. E. TEN ISOX- WOODS. 



139 



Ethnology. — There are in Java many different kingdoms, but 

 principally three well-defined and distinct races — namely, the 

 8undanese on the west, the Jawa or Javanese in the centre, and 

 the Madurese on the east, in the island of that name. In the 

 eastern end of Java also, about Banjuwangi, there is a con- 

 siderable admixture of Balinese from the neighbouring island of 

 liali. These races have fairly marked characters, though it 

 requires a long residence and experience for a European to 

 distinguish them. The following are the impressions made upon 

 me : — The Sundauese are slight and graceful, with lighter com- 

 plexions and particularly mild expression of countenance. The 

 Javanese are short of stature, with the Malay projecting lips and 

 flattened upturned noses strongly marked. The Madurese are a 

 very swarthy, muscular race, evidently well litted for labour and 

 strength, for which they i>ear a reputation. 



Formerly Java was divided into important kingdoms, some 

 portions of the history of whieh combine with those of the world 

 of latter times. Originally founded with an advanced civilization 

 from the Indian peninsula, they were converted in the 15th century 

 from Buddhism or Brahminism to Islamism by Arab missionaries. 

 Ever since the Arabs have been somewhat largely domiciled in 

 the island, and an Arab element is engrafted on the language. 

 Annual pilgrimages to Mecca serve to keep up these relations. 



At present all the native princes, the king of Jokiakarta and 

 emperor of Solo are under the dominion of the Dutch, who 

 administer their kingdoms for them and give them a liberal 

 maintenance. The splendours of these oriental courts ate perhaps 

 as great as ever they were, with all the gaudy adornment, bright 

 coloured silks, birds' feathers, golden umbrellas, and a moderate 

 proportion of gold, silver and precious stones. The pageantry of 

 these relics of the past is mostly interesting to the student and 

 the antiquarian. The rajahs may be distinguished by a pleasing 

 and amiable exterior of marked Indian characters, while their 

 mild-eyed crowds of attendants have the spiritless yet kind look 

 of all the Javanese. Everywhere one meets with courtesy and 

 more marks of respect than in any other part of Malaysia. 



