Festivals and ceremonies (page 2)
Balinese ceremonies, Javanese court rituals, Chinese New Year and Idul Fitri.
Kemang - Modern Kampong: Jakarta
No other area in Jakarta is as unique as Kemang with its touches of international lifestyle. It is an area that is most popular among the expatriate community.
Priests in Bali
When you visit the island of Bali , at some time or another you are bound to come across a religious procession , a cremation or even a temple festival .
Ram Fighting: Bandung, West Java
One game I had never heard of was Ram Fighting . It’s an old west Javanese tradition and, it has set rules and interesting preambles.
Bali Calendar of Events 2007
Yesterday I put up a calendar of events for Indonesia but there are other events and festivals on the island of Bali that are fabulous to see if you are over there.
The Feast of Woleka: Sumba
Sumba is one of the islands in the East Nusa Tenggara group. Its culture is simple yet intriguing.
Holiday Calendar for 2007
It always helps when you travel to Indonesia to know some of the festive days , those holidays that just might affect your days there.
Metakaruna in Semarang: Central Java
Semarang is the capital city port in the north of Central Java . Steeped in history, its Chinese population would probably be second to that of Surabaya in the east of Java.
Hair Cutting Ritual: Dieng Plateau, Central Java
The Dieng Plateau is a mystically haunting area 26 kilometres north of Wonosobo in Central Java .
Wayan Ketel: Recalling Pre-Independence Days, Bali
I could think of nothing better than living to a ripe old age and still being in good health. Even more, still retaining a good memory!.
Hindu Dharma - Balinese Belief: Bali
Hindu Dharma , the religious belief system of Bali , governs all activities of the daily life of the Balinese.
Islamic New Year – Muharram 1428AH: Indonesia
Today across the archipelago of Indonesia is the Islamic New Year – Muharram 1428 AH . I would like to extend my best wishes to all Muslims on this special day.
Moderate Islam and the New Year: Indonesia
Most ‘ redneck ’ westerner’s impressions of Islam and Muslims are that they chop hands off, have crazy laws and are in general dominating over their women.
The Balinese Calendar
When I first started going to Bali decades ago, I immersed myself in the culture as much as possible.
The Bali Aga: Bali
The original inhabitants of Bali , the Bali Aga , live a reclusive life in the mountains to the east, the north and central Bali.
Perang Topat Festival: Lingsar, West Lombok
The quiet island of Lombok , is separated from Bali by the Lombok Straits . The indigenous Sasak people make up roughly 90% of the island’s population and their language and culture are unique to the…
Chinese Kepeng: Bali
When I first went to Pasar Triwindu on Jalan Diponogoro in Surakarta , Central Java , it was in search of antique Kris.
The Incense Makers: Malang, East Java
We have seen them being used at ceremonies in Bali and other parts of Indonesia , together with offerings in Canang Sari , and many of you probably burn the odd stick at home.
The Baduy Ethnic Tribe: West Java
Its not very often you come across a tribe who are keepers of their traditions and national heritage and are still surviving today.
Cockfighting: Indonesia
Most of you will have heard of cockfighting or even seen one on your travels in Indonesia. Some of you might think it a barbaric act of bloody violence, and others, fascinating.
Tirtagangga Festival: East Bali
Located roughly six kilometres northwest of Amlapura in East Bali is one of the most beautiful places on the island of Bali – Tirtagangga .
Bull Racing: Madura Island
Bull Racing in Madura is a folk sport that came into existence long, long ago. Though the colour and excitement is different from the familiar sports of Westerners, it is equally interesting and…
Traditional Dances: Maluku Islands
Traditional dance in Maluku is diverse and is a potpourri of tribal, ceremonial, and greeting forms for all occasions. Each island within the group has its own form, each beautiful in its own right.
Independence in Indonesia
Although Indonesia was finally independent and (with the exceptions of Dutch-ruled West New Guinea and Portuguese-ruled East Timor ) formally unified, the society remained deeply divided by ethnic,…
Hinduism in Indonesia
Hinduism is an amalgam of related traditions and cults that seeks to explain cosmology in primarily deistic terms. The religion has countless gods but no exclusive creed.
Dieng Plateau Cleaning Up: Central Java
The sun had long risen in the Dieng Plateau area. However, villagers were still seen covering their bodies with sarongs, arming themselves against the chilly weather in the misty holiday resort some…
Diversity in Celebrating New Year: Java, Indonesia
When I lived in Yogyakarta , one of my favourite times of the year was New Year’s Eve and the resulting noisy pandemonium.