Editing Central Java (section)

== Culture ==
{{See also|Javanese culture}}
Central Java is considered to be the heart of the Javanese culture. The ideal conduct and moral of the courts (such as politeness, nobility and grace) has a tremendous influence on the people. They are known as soft-spoken, very polite, extremely class-conscious, apathetic, down-to-earth, etc. These stereotypes form what most non-Javanese see as the "Javanese Culture", when in fact, not all [[Javanese people|Javanese]] behave in such manner as most Javanese are far from the court culture.<ref name=hatley />

=== Mapping the Javanese cultures ===
The Javanese cultural area can be divided into three distinct main regions: Western, Central, and Eastern Javanese culture or in their Javanese names as ''Ngapak'', ''Kejawèn'' and ''Arèk''. The boundaries of these cultural regions coincide with the [[isogloss]]es of the Javanese dialects. Cultural areas west of [[Dieng Plateau]], [[Pekalongan Regency|Pekalongan]], and [[Kebumen Regency|Kebumen]] regencies are considered ''Ngapak'' whereas the border of the eastern cultural areas or ''Arèk'' lies in [[East Java]]. Consequently, culturally, Central Java consists of two cultures, while the Central Javanese Culture proper is not entirely confined to Central Java.<ref name=hatley />

=== Creative arts ===
==== Architecture ====
[[File:Gereja Ayam (34189927894).png|thumb|The [[Gereja Ayam|Chicken Church]] is a unique building that was used as a filming location for the film [[Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? 2|AADC 2]]]]
The architecture of Central Java is characterised by the juxtaposition of the old and the new and a wide variety of architectural styles, the legacy of many successive influences from the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, China, and Europe. In particular, northern coastal cities such as Semarang, Tegal, and Pekalongan can boast European colonial architecture. The European and Chinese influence can be seen in Semarang's temple of [[Sam Poo Kong]] dedicated to [[Zheng He]] and the Domed Church built in 1753. The latter is the second-oldest church in Java and the oldest in Central Java. In the former capital of Surakarta, there are also several European architectures.

Central Java also has some notable religious buildings. The [[Borobudur]] and the [[Prambanan]] temple complexes are among the largest Buddhist and Hindu structures in the world. In general, a characteristic Javanese mosque does not have a dome as its roof but a ''[[Mount Meru (mythology)|Meru]]''-like roof which is reminiscent of a Hindu or Buddhist temple. The tower of the famous Mosque of Kudus resembles a Hindu-Javanese or Balinese temple more than a traditional Middle Eastern mosque.

==== Batik ====
[[File:Batik Lasem Tulis.jpg|thumb|''[[Batik]] Lasem,'' incorporating both Javanese and Chinese influence]]
Central Java is famous and well known for its exquisite ''[[batik]]'', a generic [[Resist dyeing|wax-resist]] [[dye]]ing technique used on [[textile]]s. There are different styles of batik motifs. A centre of batik production is in [[Pekalongan]]. Other centres include [[Surakarta]] and [[Yogyakarta]]. ''Batik'' in Pekalongan style, which represent ''gaya pesisir'' (or coastal style), is different from the one in Surakarta and Yogyakarta that represent ''batik'' from the heartland of Java (''gaya kejawèn'').<ref>Ron Hatley, ''Mapping the Javanese cultures'' (1984:10–11)</ref>

==== Dance ====
[[File:Ramawijaya dan Shinta di Sendratari Ramayana.jpg|thumb|170px|Javanese dancers performing the [[Ramayana]] epic]]
One can even see the court influences in the art forms. The dances of the courts of Java are usually slow and graceful with no excessive gestures. The people followed this approach, and as a result, slow-paced and graceful movements can even be found in folk dances throughout Central Java, though with some exceptions. One can enjoy the beauty of Central Javanese dances in "Kamajaya-Kamaratih" or "Karonsih", usually performed in a traditional Javanese wedding.

==== Theatre ====
There are several kinds of Central Javanese theatre and performing arts. The most well-known is the Javanese ''[[wayang]]'' theatre, which has several types. These are ''[[wayang kulit]]'', ''[[wayang#Wayang klitik|wayang klitik]]'', ''[[wayang beber]]'', ''[[wayang golek]]'', and ''[[wayang wong]]''. ''Wayang kulit'' are shadow puppets theatre with leather puppets. The stories are loosely based on the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and ''[[Ramayana]]'' cycles. ''Wayang klitik'' are puppets theatre with flat wooden puppets. The stories are based on [[Panji tales|Panji]] stories. Panji was a native Javanese princes who embarked a 'journeys of desire'.<ref>{{cite book|first =Adrian|last= Vickers|title = Journeys of Desire: A Study of the Balinese Text Malat|date = 2005|location = Leiden|publisher = KITLV|isbn = 9789067181372}}</ref> ''Wayang beber'' is scroll theatre, and it involves "performing" scenes of a story elaborately drawn and painted on rolled sheets. ''Wayang golek'' consists of three-dimensional wooden puppets. The narrative can be based on anything, but usually are drawn from Islamic heroic ones. Finally, ''wayang wong'' is ''wayang'' theatre involving live figures, actors who are performing a play. The narrative, however, must be based on the ''Mahabharata'' or the ''Ramayana''.

In addition to ''wayang'', there is another form of theatre called ''[[ketoprak]]''. It is a staged play by actors accompanied by Javanese ''[[gamelan]]''. The narrative is free but cannot be based on Mahabharata or Ramayana.

==== Music ====
[[File:Javanese Gamelan.jpg|thumb|Javanese gamelan ensemble performance during traditional Javanese style wedding ceremony]]

Central Javanese music is almost synonymous with ''[[gamelan]]''. It is a musical ensemble typically featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums, gongs, bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings. Vocalists may also be included. The term refers more to the set of instruments than the players of those instruments. A gamelan as a set of instruments is a distinct entity, built and tuned to stay together. Instruments from different gamelan are not interchangeable. However, gamelan is not typically Central Javanese as it is also known elsewhere.

Contemporary Javanese pop music is called ''[[campursari]]''. It is a fusion between gamelan and Western instruments, much like ''[[kroncong]]''. Usually, the lyrics are in Javanese, though not always. One notable singer is [[Didi Kempot]], born in [[Sragen Regency|Sragen]], north of Surakarta. He mostly sings in Javanese.

==== Literature ====
It can be argued that Javanese literature started in Central Java. The oldest-known literary work in the [[Javanese language]] is the [[inscription of Sivagrha]] from [[Kedu Plain]]. This inscription, which is from 856 AD, is written as a ''[[kakawin]]'' or Javanese poetry with Indian metres.<ref>De Casparis, "A Metrical Old Javanese Inscription Dated 865 A.D." in ''Prasasti Indonesia II'' (1956:280–330)</ref> The oldest of narrative poems, ''[[Kakawin Ramayana]]'', which tells the well-known story of [[Ramayana]], is believed to have come from Central Java. It can be safely assumed that this ''kakawin'' were written in the central Java region in the 9th century.<ref>{{cite book|last=Zoetmulder|first = Petrus Josephus|title = Kalangwan: a survey of old Javanese literature |date =1974|page =231|publisher = Martinus Nijhoff}}</ref>

After the shift of Javanese power to eastern Java, it had been quiet from Central Java for several centuries concerning Javanese literature until the 16th century. At this time, the centre of power was shifted back to Central Java. The oldest work written in modern Javanese language concerning Islam is the so-called "Book of Bonang" or also "The Admonitions of Seh Bari". This work is extant in just one manuscript, now kept in the University of Leiden as codex Orientalis 1928. It is assumed that this manuscript originates from Tuban, in eastern Java and was taken to the Netherlands after 1598.<ref>{{cite book|first =G.W.J.|last= Drewes|title = The Admonitions of Seh Bari|date =1969|pages =1–2|isbn = 978-90-04-24793-2|publisher = Brill}}</ref> However, this work is attributed to [[Sunan Bonang]], one of the [[Wali Sanga|nine Javanese saints]] who spread Islam in Java and Sunan Bonang came from Bonang, a place in [[Demak Regency]], Central Java. It can be argued that this work marked the beginning of Islamic literature in the region.

However, the pinnacle of Central Javanese literature was created at the courts of the kings of Mataram in Kartasura and later in Surakarta and Yogyakarta that are mostly attributed to the Yasadipura family. The most famous member of this family is [[Rangga Warsita]] who lived in the 19th century. He is the best-known of all Javanese writers and also one of the most prolific. He is also known as ''bujangga panutup'' or "the last court poet".

Following independence, the Javanese language as a medium was pushed to the background. Still, one of the greatest contemporary Indonesian authors, [[Pramoedya Ananta Toer]] was born in 1925 in [[Blora]]. He was an author of novels, short stories, essays, polemics, and histories of his homeland and its people. A well-regarded writer in the West, his outspoken and often politically charged writings faced censorship at home. He faced extrajudicial punishment for opposing the policies of both President [[Sukarno]] and [[Suharto]]. During imprisonment and house arrest, he became a ''cause célèbre'' for advocates of freedom of expression and human rights. In his works, he writes much about life and social problems in Java.

=== Cuisine ===
Rice is the staple food of Central Java. In addition to rice, dried cassava, known locally as ''[[gaplek|gaplèk]]'', also serve as a staple food. Javanese food tends to taste sweet. Cooked and stewed vegetables, usually in coconut milk (''santen'' in Javanese) are prevalent. Raw vegetable, which is popular in West Java, is less prevalent in Central Java.

Saltwater fish, both fresh and dried are common, especially among coastal areas. Freshwater fish is not popular in Central Java, unlike in West Java, except perhaps for [[catfish]] known locally as ''lélé''. It is usually fried and served with chilli condiment (''[[sambal]]'') and raw vegetables.

Chicken, mutton and beef are common meat. Certain parts of the population also eat [[Dog meat#Indonesia|dog meat]], known by its [[euphemism]] ''daging jamu'' (literally "traditional medicine meat").

[[Tofu]] and [[tempeh|tempe]] serve as the standard replacement to fish and meat. Famous dishes in Central Java include ''[[gudeg]]'' (sweet stew of jackfruit) and ''[[sayur lodeh]]'' (vegetables cooked in coconut milk).

Besides the aforementioned tofu, there is a strong Chinese influence in numerous dishes. Some examples of Sino-Javanese food include [[noodle]]s, ''bakso'' (meatballs), ''[[lumpia]]'', ''[[soto ayam|soto]]'' etc. The widespread use of sweet soybeans sauce (''[[soy sauce|kecap manis]]'') in the Javanese cuisine can also be attributed to the Chinese influence.
<gallery>
File:Nasi Gudeg.jpg|[[Cooked rice|Nasi]] [[Gudeg]], mostly found in Yogyakarta and Surakarta
File:Nasi Liwet Solo.jpg|Nasi Liwet Solo
File:Soto Kudus nasi.JPG|Soto Kudus
File:Loenpia Gang Lombok Semarang.jpg|[[Lumpia]] Semarang
File:Tempegoreng.jpg|[[Tempeh]] Goreng
</gallery>