Articles tagged ‘Beliefs’
Batik – an Intangible Heritage Wonder
By Barrie | May 26th, 2008 |
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Batik is a popular decorated textile but for Javanese, it means much more — it embodies a philosophy that holds importance from the cradle to the grave. It is still a common practice to wrap newborns in batik cloth, and a piece of batik selendang (scarf) is regularly used to carry the baby around. When [...]
Hari Raya Waisak: Indonesia
By Barrie | May 19th, 2008 | Add a Comment »
Today in Indonesia is Waisak Day. This is a Bhuddist holiday to celebrate the anniversary of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Bhuddism. To all my friends that are Bhuddist I wish to express…
SELEMAT HARI RAYA WAISAK
Hari Waisak - Waisak Day
Indonesians in Focus: Tam Chen Siong
By Barrie | May 2nd, 2008 | Add a Comment »
Tam Chen Siong, 36, an Indonesian of Chinese descent who is also known as Kanjeng Raden Tumenggung Hartonodiningrat, has enjoyed success in his efforts to preserve one of the country’s most treasured forms of cultural art. Tam’s father, Tam Hwa Seng, a businessman from Surabaya, and mother Phun Djoei Hing, hoped their second child would [...]
The Magic of Mount Kawi: East Java
By Barrie | April 28th, 2008 | Add a Comment »
Mount Kawi, a major tourist destination near Malang city in East Java, is renowned for attracting fortune seekers. People visit Mount Kawi to ask for blessings and wish for many different things — a successful business, to meet their life partner or for a good career. It is even common to see ambitious politicians who [...]
The Cultural Significance of Betel Leaf
By Barrie | April 26th, 2008 | Add a Comment »
At first too shy to approach the prince directly, Princess Kadambari Was persuaded to honor her guest. She stretched out her hand. She placed the betel leaf in his. She offered the leaf as though she offered her heart. Banabhatta (A.D. 7) Kadambari
Last week I told you a tale about daluman, that “ominous green [...]
Buffalo Races: Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara
By Barrie | April 14th, 2008 | Add a Comment »
Buffalo races take place all over Indonesia and their forms vary from place to place. Whereas buffalo races in Bali are done on an oval track, with riders in carts, the buffalo races I witnessed in Sumbawa were quite different. In Sumbawa, the buffalo were more in their natural environment — a muddy field. You [...]
The Symbolism of Crocodile Bread: Jakarta, West Java
By Barrie | April 8th, 2008 | Add a Comment »
In Jakarta, a man who can’t be loyal to a woman is often referred to as a buaya darat (land crocodile). The Betawi, native Jakartans, have a different opinion of this ferocious-looking reptile. Two pieces of sweetened bread in the shape of crocodiles are a must at every Betawi traditional wedding ceremony, as the [...]
Indonesians in Focus: Habiburrahman El Shirazy
By Barrie | April 8th, 2008 | Add a Comment »
Islam is an easy target for misrepresentation. It has been misunderstood and misused for centuries by its ignorant followers as well as its “enemies”. It is no surprise then that questions about the nature of the religion have been reiterated over the past three decades. Does the faith recognize human rights? Is it compatible with [...]
Book Review: Encounters with The Dani
By Barrie | April 4th, 2008 | Add a Comment »
First published in 2003, Encounters With The Dani, a history of contact with the Dani tribe, is a book worth revisiting. It was written, photographed and designed by Susan Meiselas, one of the most influential and important documentary photographers working today. Meiselas, who studied anthropology before she became a professional photographer, consistently pushes beyond the [...]
The Legend of Lamafa
By Barrie | April 3rd, 2008 | Add a Comment »
Lamafa, a local term for a whaler in Lamalera village, along with its whaling tradition, was already around hundreds of years ago, before Catholic missionaries entered East Nusa Tenggara in 1500s. To reach the village, visitors fly 30 minutes from Kupang, the capital city of East Nusa Tenggara, to Lewaleba regency on Lembata Island, and [...]
