Sundawas

Sundawas is a term referring to the Sundanese people, an ethnic group native to the western part of the island of Java, Indonesia. It can also refer to their culture, language, and historical territory.

The Sundanese language, Basa Sunda, is spoken by approximately 40 million people and is one of the major regional languages of Indonesia. It belongs to the Austronesian language family.

Sundanese culture is rich and diverse, encompassing traditional dances, music (including gamelan and degung), literature, and performing arts such as wayang golek (wooden puppet theatre). The Sundanese are known for their hospitality, respect for elders, and strong community ties. Historically, agriculture, particularly rice cultivation, has played a central role in Sundanese life.

The historical homeland of the Sundanese people is often referred to as Tatar Sunda, which includes the provinces of West Java, Banten, and parts of Central Java. Historically, the Kingdom of Sunda was a significant power in the region, existing from the 7th to the 16th centuries.