Get to know about Malang

Malang is the second largest city in East Java province, Indonesia. It has a history dating back to the ancient Mataram Kingdom. The city population at the 2010 Census was 820,243 (BPS, 2010). 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 of 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.

Ethnic backgrounds

The racial makeup of the city is mainly of Javanese and Madurese, with a small percentage of Arabic and Chinese descent. There is no apparent racial discrimination against minority Chinese descendants.

Religion

Like most of Java, a large majority of Malang residents are Muslim; there are small minorities of Catholics, Hindus, and Buddhists. Many buildings of worship still stand from their construction in the colonial era. For example, City of Malang Grand Mosque or Masjid Agung Kota Malang in Malang City Square or Alun-alun kota Malang; Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Gereja Katolik Hati Kudus Yesus) in Kayutangan; Saint Mary from Mount Carmel Cathedral (Gereja Ijen or Katedral Santa Maria dari Gunung Karmel) in Ijen Street, which is the seat for theRoman Catholic Diocese of Malang; The Immanuel Protestant Church in Alun-alun; and Eng An Kiong Buddhist Temple in Jl. Laksamana Martadinata No. 1 Malang. Malang is also famous for being the centre of religious education, this is evident with the existence of many Islamic schools (pesantren) and bible seminaries. Malang also has a convent, among other Carmel Monastery, Ursuline Convent, Misericordia monastery, Monastery of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Brothers, Convent of the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Monastery Mission Congregatio Brother, Brother Abbey Projo, Passionist Monastery, and several other monasteries.

Language

Javanese 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. Like Surabaya, Malang residents adopt an egalitarian form of Javanese. As it becomes the educational city, there are many languages from outside Java spoken in Malang.

Art and 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.