:: Malang City - East Java Travel Guides ::
Malang is the second largest
city in East Java province, Indonesia and will be
established as the fourth largest city in Indonesia next
year on 2008, had an ancient history dating back to the
Mataram Kingdom. The city population in this present
time is around 1,5 million. And the population in the
urban area is 2 million. The total of the population is
around 3,5 million. During the period of Dutch
colonization, it was a popular destination for European
residents. The city is famous for its cool air and the
surrounding country regions of Tumpang, Batu, Singosari,
and Turen. People in East Java sometimes call it "Paris
van East Java." Malang was spared many of the effects of
the Asian financial crisis, and since that time it has
been marked by steady economic and population growth.
History
Hundreds, even
thousands of years ago before Malang became the second
biggest city in East Java, Malang used to be the centre
of government of the Kanjuruhan and Singosari Kingdom.
In the following era, Malang regency became an important
place when the government of Mataram Kingdom took hold
of the area, making it the largest regency in East Java
and since then the development of Malang regency has
increased well.
The history of Malang Regency could be revealed through
the Dinoyo inscription 760 AD as the primary official
document to support the birth of Malang before a new
inscription was discovered in 1986, which is so far not
yet revealed. According to the inscription, it was
concluded that the 8th century was the beginning of the
existence of Malang Regency's government due to the
birth of King Gajayana's ruling of his kingdom in Malang.
From the Dinoyo inscriptions, it is noted that the
inscription used the "Candra Sengkala" or 'Cronogram"
Calendar, and stated that the birth date of Malang
Regency was on Jum'at Legi (sweet Friday) November 28,
760 AD. (L. Damaes: "Studed' Epigraphy d'Indonesia IV.
1952").
The city was incorporated into Mataram in 1614, then
transferred to Dutch colonial rule. Malang was
transformed under the Dutch; its cool climate as a
result of its elevation, along with its proximity to the
major port of Surabaya, made it a popular destination
for Dutch and other Europeans. In 1879, Malang was
connected to Java's railroad network, further increasing
development and leading to increased industrialization.
Along with growth is urbanization. The government could
not satisfy the population’s needs for affordable
housing, which leads to the building of shanty towns
along the rivers and rail tracks. Until this day, the
shanty towns still exist, although some transformed into
“better” housing.
Geography
Malang has a
total area of 252,136 km˛. It shares its borders with
Pasuruan (North), Lumajang (East), and Batu (West).
Mount Bromo, one of Java's largest volcanoes and a major
tourist attraction, is located just to the east of the
city.
Demographics
There are roughly 1,175,282 people living in Malang. The
population density is 10,000 – 17,000/km˛, with
population growth of 9.3% per year.
Ethnic backgrounds
The racial makeup of the city is mainly of Javanese and
Madura, with a small percentage of the Arabic and
Chinese descendants. The people of Malang are known for
their spirituality, dynamism, hard-work and particularly
proud to be Arek Malang (AREMA).
Religion
Like most of
Java, a large majority of Malang residents are Muslim;
there are small minorities of Catholics, Hindus, and
Buddhists. Many of buildings of worship still stand from
their construction in the colonial era. For example,
Jami Mosque (or Agung Mosque), Sacred Heart Church (Gereja
Hati Kudus Yesus) in Kayutangan, Saint Therese Cathedral
(Gereja Ijen or Katedral Santa Theresia) in Ijen Street,
Eng An Kiong Buddhist Temple in Laksamana Martadinata
Street. Malang is also famous for being the centre of
religious education, this is evident with the existence
of many Islamic schools (pesantren) and bible seminars.
Language
Javanese and
Madura language is the day-to-day language used by
Malang people. Many of the native Malang youths adopt a
dialect that is called 'boso walikan', it is simply done
by reversing the pronunciation of the words, an example
of this is by pronouncing “Malang” as “Ngalam” instead.
Art & Culture
As a centre of tourism, Malang has various places of
interest which can be classified into local, regional,
national and international standards, including
traditional dance performances such as Tari Topeng (Mask
Dance), Jaran Pegon, Tari Beskalan (Beskalan Dance),
etc. There are also 'Topeng' or Mask handicraft at the
villages of Jabung and Kedungmonggo which have become a
familiar landmark in Malang Regency.
Malang is also home to a thriving transgender (waria)
community headed by Miss Waria Indonesia 2006, Merlyn
Sopjan.
Non-residents
Temporary residents to Malang are mostly for educational
reasons. They come from other islands especially from
East of Indonesia, which includes Bali, Nusa Tenggara,
East Timor, Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi dan Kalimantan.
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