THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BANJAR AND SUNDAN TRIBES
By: Hamly Hadi
(History Observer)
The Origins of Sunda from the Ancient Galuh Kingdom
According to the notes of Dutch historian W.J. van der Meulen, in his book “Indonesia di Ambang Sejarah” (1988), the Ancient Galuh Kingdom is considered the mother of many kingdoms in Java.
Ancient Galuh was founded by a group of immigrants from Kalimantan during the pre-Hindu era. These immigrants arrived on Java via Cirebon, then spread to various inland areas such as Mount Cermai, Mount Slamet, and the Serayu River Valley. Around Mount Slamet, they interacted with the local population and established the Ancient Galuh Kingdom.
In the 6th century, the Ancient Galuh Kingdom moved its seat of government to Kawali, near Garut, and changed its name to Galuh Kawali. During the same period, other major kingdoms emerged in Java, such as the Kalingga Kingdom in the east and the Tarumanegara Kingdom in the west. The rivalry between these kingdoms further weakened the position of Galuh Purba.
However, when Purnawarman, King of Tarumanegara, abdicated and was replaced by King Candrawarman, the Galuh Kawali Kingdom experienced a revival. During the reign of King Tarusbawa Wretikandayun, King Galuh Kawali declared independence from Tarumanegara, and with support from the Kalingga Kingdom, the kingdom changed its name again to the Galuh Kingdom, with its seat of government in Banjar Pataruman. This Galuh Kingdom later developed into the Pajajaran Kingdom, renowned in Sundanese history.
Some similarities between the Banjar and Sundanese languages:
Banjar / Sunda / Indonesia
Amun / Lamun / If
Andika / Andika / You
Angsul / Installment / Change
Asa / Asa / Feeling
Atawa / Atawa / Or
Bahuma / Ngahuma / Planting Rice
Bairik / Ngirik / Trampling the rice so the grains come off
isuk / Isukan / Tomorrow
Batahar / Tatahar / Cooking Rice
Bumbunan / Dew / Crown
Cacak / Cakcak / Cicak
Calung / Celong / Pale
Sungkal / Sungkal / Digging the Ground
Dadampar / Dadampar / Seat
Guha / Guha / Cave
Nguliat / Nguliat / Stretching
Handap / Handap / Short
Hangit / Hangit / Gosong (hangit in Sundanese means burnt smell)
Hayam / Hayam / Chicken
Ilat / Ilat / Tongue
Indung / Indung / Mother
Kandal / Kandel / Thick
Kangkalung / Kangkalung / Necklace
Kijing / Kijing / Shell
Kiwa / Kiwa / Kiri
Mintuha / Mitoha / Mother-in-law
Ngaran / Ngaran / Name
Nginum / Nginum / Drink
Nini / Nini / Grandmother
Pagat / Pegat / Break
Pais / Pais / Pepes
Payu / Payu / Laku
Sapalih / Sapalih / Part
Surangan / Sologan / Alone
Tasma / Tasma / Glasses
Tatamba / Tatamba / Getting Treatment
Tutuh / Tutuh / Cutting Branches
Uyah / Uyah / Salt
Waluh / Waluh / Labu
Wani / Wani / Brave
Wayah / Wayah / Saat
Banjarmasin, January 14, 2026
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