Gary Dean - Posts

The Samin of Java

 – Origins, Beliefs, Practices, and Social Structure

## Historical Origins and Context The Samin community, also known as Sedulur Sikep or Wong Sikep, is an indigenous group primarily located in the interior regions of Central and East Java, Indonesia, notably in Blora Regency. The movement originated in the late 19th century, around 1890, under the leadership of a charismatic figure named Samin Surosentiko (originally Raden Kohar), born in 1859. He was the son of Raden Surowijoyo (Samin Sepuh), a nobleman from Ponorogo, East Java. Disillusioned by the oppressive policies of the Dutch colonial administration, particularly regarding taxation and forest resource control, Samin Surosentiko initiated a peaceful, non-violent resistance movement. His teachings rapidly spread across regions such as Blora, Rembang, Pati, Kudus, Grobogan, Tuban, Bojonegoro, Ngawi, and Madiun. ## Core Beliefs and Philosophical Outlook The Samin community ad