Javanese: Rewang is a form of traditional cultural Javanese mutual cooperation and prosocial behavior,[1] widely practiced and adhered to by the native Javanese people on the Indonesian island of Java. The term Javanese: Rewang specifically refers to the individual intention and act of assisting others to ease their work, whereas the communal work itself is better known as Javanese: Gotong royong. Both terms are of Javanese origin and are commonly used within Javanese society.
The term Javanese: rewang originates from the Javanese language and is inherited from Old Javanese Kawi: rewaṅ or Kawi: rowaṅ, which literally means "companion." This term (and its derivatives) appeared in several ancient Old Javanese inscriptions and manuscripts, dating from the 1st century to the early 12th century.
Although nowadays Javanese: Rewang is more commonly associated with 'women's duties,' it was originally a gender-neutral concept, initiated by both men and women. It emphasizes the pure intention to help or assist others who are in charge of something, usually but not necessarily a significant event. For instance, Javanese people come together to assist their neighbours in preparing for events like weddings or even simple family gatherings, contributing to tasks such as food preparation, cleaning, and more.
Javanese: Rewang can be seen as a pure form of community empowerment, always performed with the intention of providing support and easing the burden of others. In Javanese philosophy, taking care of one another is essential, as it is believed that humans, being naturally social creatures, cannot thrive in isolation or rely solely on themselves.[2]
See main article: Wayang. Not only does Javanese: Rewang function as a form of mutual cooperation in Javanese society, but it is also brought to life through cultural arts. The Javanese: Wayang (Javanese puppetry) is one of the mediums used to express and preserve these traditional customs. It is hoped that Javanese: Rewang will be preserved for future generations through Javanese: Wayang performances.
See main article: Javanese diaspora. Although not as prevalent as in the Javanese homeland on Java, Javanese: Rewang is still practiced by the Javanese diaspora living outside the island. For example, Javanese communities in the Sumatran regions of Lampung and Langkat continue to perform Javanese: Rewang during major events. A similar practice can be observed among Javanese diaspora communities in the Americas, particularly in the Caribbean and South America (e.g., Suriname).[3]