Kejawen

Kejawen, or Kejawèn in Javanese, is a term used to describe the traditional spiritual and cultural worldview of the Javanese people of Indonesia. It denotes a syncretic set of beliefs, ethics, and practices that guide daily life, art, and social relations. Kejawen is not a formal religion; it refers to a native Javanese sensibility rooted in humility, balance, and respect for others, nature, and the spiritual realm.

Historically, Kejawen emerged from Java’s long-standing blending of Hindu-Buddhist cultural influence, indigenous animist traditions, and later Islamic practice. It is closely linked with Kebatinan, a mystical current emphasizing inner purification and personal experience of the divine. Central concepts often include reverence for ancestors and spirits (Hyang), a sense of inner discipline, and an emphasis on social harmony and courtesy in daily life.

Practices vary by community and individual. They may include rituals, offerings, or quiet contemplation, and they frame daily life around balance between personal desires and communal duties. Kejawen ideas pervade Javanese arts, literature, music, and performing arts, shaping expressions in batik, wayang, dance, and gamelan, as well as language and manners.

Today, Kejawen is commonly used to describe a Javanese cultural identity and ethos. While many Javanese Muslims and adherents of other faiths incorporate Kejawen-informed values, some scholars and religious authorities view it as a cultural-spiritual tradition rather than a formal religion. Its meaning and practice are diverse, reflecting Java’s historical pluralism.