Few countries in the world could match Indonesia’s
diversity of population with some 490 different ethnics
living together. For the visitors, this diversity means
a wealth of different architecture, handicraft, textiles,
dances, languages or even religions. It would be impossible
to describe all the traditions of each living ethnic.
However, discover some of the amazing people who makes
contemporary Indonesia.
Enjoy a first experience
to Indonesia Ethnic Diversity.
It would take years for a traveller to discover all
Indonesian islands and its inhabitants. However, to
have a first approach, the ideal place is Taman Mini
Indonesia in Jakarta. Stretching on 120 ha of gardens,
this open air theme park shows in pavilions the lifestyle,
the architecture and the artefacts of 31 Indonesian
provinces. Most of the houses were dismantled to be
carefully reconstructed in the park and are a testimony
of the artistic skills of Indonesian various ethnics.
JAVA
The Javanese
Indonesia’s dominant ethnic is the Javanese people.
Java island has close to 130 million inhabitants, living
from Banten to Surabaya. However, the cradle of the
Javanese culture can be found in Central Java, between
the cities of Semarang, Solo and Yogyakarta. These cities
used to be powerful sultanates with a sophisticated
court life around the Keraton, the royal palace. Sultans
today are still present but their power is largely symbolic-
Yogyakarta excepted-; but all the rituals and traditions
remain. Visitors will not only discover the impressive
carving and art pieces of the various palaces but also
the traditional clothing, the art of batik textiles-
each Sultanate and City has a different motive or colour-,
classical Javanese dance and music.
Access: Flights to Jakarta,
Semarang, Solo, Yogyakarta, Semarang or Surabaya.
The Sundanese
Sundanese people live in West Java since immemorial
times. Traces of the previous grandeur of Sundanese
Kingdoms can still be admired today in the city of Cirebon
with the historical Sultan Palace. Cirebon is famous
for its folk art with Puppets performances (Wayang)
or Mask dances (Topeng). Cirebon batiks are easy to
recognise with their clouds design inspired by Chinese
motives. Another expression of Sundanese arts’
skills is the Angklung music. A group of musicians is
then able to perform any type of music on a set of melodic
bamboo instruments.
Access: Flights to Jakarta
or Bandung
SUMATRA
The Batak
Batak people are among the largest ethnic groups in
Indonesia and live in North Sumatra around the Lake
Toba and its surrounding mountains. Visitors will notice
architectural differences between the Batak living around
the Lake (Toba Batak) and in the Mountains (Karo Bataks).
Around the lake, Toba Bataks live in Boat shaped houses
with long roofs as Karo Bataks live in square houses
with a double-floor roof evocating a mountain. One Karo
house can accommodate six to eight families. Bataks
are known as skilled wood sculptors. Houses are decorated
with intricate motives evocating the cosmos. Toba Bataks
still perform traditional dances, the tortor dance,
which celebrates a gift exchange for a wedding.
Access: Flights to Medan
The people from Nias
This large island, which faces North Sumatra, is dominated
by a society traditionally divided into aristocrats,
commoners and former slaves. Niasians formerly liked
to compete again each other by holding feasts of merit.
They still today compete with each other in a spectacular
but friendly way. Visitors can today admire “stone-jumping
performances” where young men pass over three
meters- stone pedestals.
Access: Flights via Medan
and transfer to Nias
The Minangkabau
One of the most curious ethnics in Indonesia, the Minang
lives in West Sumatra. This Muslim society is based
on a matrilineal practice where the descent is traced
through women who inherit common goods. Minang succeed
to preserve their own traditions in dances and in sophisticated
costumes and in peculiar house architecture. The “Rumah
Gadand” (“Great House”) is one of
the most sophisticated constructions in Indonesia. It
is a large wooden house decorated with intricate carvings
and crowned by a high roof in shape of buffalo’s
horns.
Access: Flights to Padang
BALI
Balinese fascinating culture is a blend of Hindu, Buddhist
and animist religions which is translated into a holistic
approach to life. Rituals continue to rhythm the way
of life of Balinese people. Balinese see the world populated
with good and bad spirits, humans and demons. Mountains
and volcanoes belong to the Gods, the sea as the evil’s
habitat, the coast and plains are the place for the
mankind. Houses are built along the dharma principle
of reaching the perfect state of being.
One of Balineses’ task is to keep this world in
right shape through colourful processions, purification
ceremonies, pilgrimages, offerings and sacrifices. Barong
dances where performers wear sophisticated masks is
a symbolic way to control these forces. More than in
others parts of Indonesia, visitors to Bali have a fair
chance to take part to these spectacular daily acts
on the island. Many temples (Pura) organise festivals
and religious ceremonies; Balinese noble palaces (especially
in the village of Ubud) propose traditional performances
of classical dances with gamelan.
Access: Flights to Denpasar
SOUTH SULAWESI
The Toraja
Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi is a piece of green land
with lush valleys surrounded by mountains. Toraja “Tongkonan”
are richly carved and painted houses crowned by a curved
roof evocating a buffalo head. They are today a few
villages which are still fully preserved and are like
living museums. Even if the modern life took its toll
on traditions, some of the Toraja rituals survive in
villages. During funerals, Torajas perform traditional
circle dances as well as buffalo slaughtering. A wooden
figure of the dead called “Tau Tau” is then
placed on a burial cliff or inside the caves where deceased
will rest in peace.
Access: Flights to Rantepao
via Makassar (Masamba, Malili, or Soroako and transfer
overland)
PAPUA
Merauke is one of the last Indonesian frontiers of Indonesia
as it is located deep in the Southeast of the Papua
province. The area is covered by forests and large rivers
which largely contribute to preserve the life of the
Asmat ethnic from a rapid modernisation of their life
style. Asmat are well-known in international art circles
for their exquisite wood sculpted figures.
Access: Flights to Merauke
NUSA TENGGARA
West Nusa Tenggara islands are a heaven for architecture
lovers. Sasak houses in Lombok are built from mud and
straw. Rice barns are especially impressive with their
“hat-shaped” roof. On Sumba island, the
Uma Mbatangu is a house characterised by a disproportioned
roof dominated by a central high tower.
Access: Flights to Lombok
