Banten's Animism


In prehistoric times, long before humans knew writing, humans had beliefs that were animistic & dynamistic. What is meant by animism & dynamism? Animism is the belief in spirits that inhabit all objects.

The spirit has supernatural powers called mana. The spirit/soul in humans is called life. However, if a human dies, the spirit leaves the body forever.

Spirits that leave the human body forever are called spirits. Therefore, they are respected, as are our ancestors. According to animism, spirits live on top of the mountain in the spirit world.

For example, places of worship for spirits in the Megalithic era were also built on mountains/hills. Usually, so that the relationship with the spirits of ancestors is well maintained, statues of ancestors are made for worship. Animist beliefs have been rooted for a long time in Indonesia.

The theology/beliefs of the Banten Hindu religion originated from the philosophy of India. In contrast, the beliefs of animism, dynamism & realism are the basis of various rituals that exist both in Banten itself/in India. Based on this, the offerings made for certain ceremonies/ceremonial purposes are made from agricultural products/land products, which will then be offered to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa/the ancestors. In Hinduism, especially in Banten, there has been a desire among the people themselves to improve their quality by learning to understand the religious way of life as well as deepening & expanding knowledge regarding the teachings of their religion which uses a system of rationalistic and philosophical approaches which aims to penetrate existing religious literature studies. 

Or collected in various historical lontar libraries left by our ancestors. Based on this research, it is also known that this area developed rapidly in the 16th century when Islam first entered this region. The development of this settlement then expanded/shifted towards Serang & towards the coast.

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