Madurese are an ethnic group of Madura, an island near the northeastern coast of Java, in Indonesia. The Madurese make up less than 5 percent of the total population of Indonesia. They live mostly in Madura, East Java, and West Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo.
The Madurese are known for raising cattle. Due to a lack of grassland for grazing, they generally keep cattle near the home and feed them by hand. Between July and October, Madurese hold a traditional bull-racing festival called Karapan Sapi. In this festival, pairs of bulls joined by a yoke race against other pairs. The owner of the winning pair receives a prize and great prestige. Many Madurese living in the coastal areas work making salt from the seawater. They allow seawater to flood small plots of land. As the water evaporates in sunlight, salt crystalizes on the plots and is harvested. Madura is also called Pulau Garam (Salt Island) because of this industry.
The Madurese are known for their hard work ethic and strong cultural identity. The dry climate of Madura forces many of them into seasonal or permanent migrant work. When the seasons prevent farming, fishing, or gathering salt, many Madurese migrate from Madura to Java or to Kalimantan. Conflicts can result from misunderstandings or disagreements between Madurese migrants and local populations. From 1996 to 2001, violent conflicts in Kalimantan resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 Madurese, with thousands more displaced.
Madurese living in coastal areas of eastern Java have created a unique subculture distinct from Javanese or Madurese culture. Madurese communities in this area are famous for their traditional Islamic boarding schools, called pesantren. In these schools, students study Islam under the guidance of a kyai (also spelled kiai) a traditional religious leader. The area where Madurese migrants live in Java is called the Tapal Kuda (Horseshoe). The name refers to the region’s horseshoe shape.
