Culture

Borobudur Temple
The Borobudur stupa is a massive, symetrical monument, 200 square meters in size, sitting upon a low sculptured hill. The
monument represents a Buddhist cosmological model of the universe organized around the axis of mythical Mt. Meru. Starting
at the eastern gateway, pilgrims circumambulate the stupa, always in a clockwise direction. Walking through nearly five
kilometers of open air corridors while ascending through six square terraces and three circular ones, the pilgrim symbolically
spirals upward from the everyday world to the nirvanic state of absolute nothingness. The first six terraces are filled with richly
decorated relief panels in which the sculptors have carved a textbook of Buddhist doctrines and a fascinating panorama of 9th
century Javanese life. Upon the upper three terraces are 72 small stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha (these
statues are usually headless; relic hunters stole many of the heads, others are in museums). Crowning the entire structure is a
great central stupa. Representing Nirvana, it is empty.(©1983-2006 Martin Gray )
Borobudur Temple, a world wonder
MASJID SERIBU TIANG, JAMBI
Calendar
Indonesia recognizes calendars such as
follows:
1.International Calendar for business
activities.
2.Hijriah Calendar only for Muslim
purpose.
RELIGION IN INDONESIA
The most recognized
religions in Indonesia:
Islam,
Protestant,
Catholic,
Buddhist, and
Hindu.
INDONESIAN HOLIDAYS
There are four types of holidays in
Indonesia: religious, national, international
and commemorative events. Government
offices, schools, banks, and other related
activities are closed.
Religious Holidays
Each of religious communities in Indonesia
celebrate events that are important to their
faith. Some of these are national holidays,
others are not. Many of these dates change
from year to year, as they are based on
other calendars.
Official Holiday Schedule for 2008:
1 January 2008 – New Year
29-30 September 2008 – "Shared Holiday" by
Government Decree
1 – 2 October 2008 – Hari Raya Idul Fitri 1429H
03 October 2008 – "Shared Holiday" by
Government Decree
08 December 2008 – Idul Adha 1429H
25 December 2008 – Christmas Day
26 December 2008 – "Shared Holiday" by
Government Decree
29 December 2008 – Islamic New Year 1430H
Muslim holidays
The dates for many Muslim holidays
vary from year to year as they are
based on the Islamic or Hijriah
calendar, which is 10 to 11 days
shorter than the Roman calendar.
• Satu Muharam or Tahun Baru Hijrah - Muslim New Year - 1st day of
Muharam
• Maulid Nabi - Birth of the Prophet Mohammad - 12th day of Rabiul Awal
•Isra Miraj - Ascension of the Prophet Mohammad - 27th day of the 7th
month
Commemorates the ascension of the Prophet Mohammad to Heaven.
Prayers are held at neighborhood mosques.
• Satu
Muharam or Tahun Baru Hijrah - Muslim New Year - 1st
day of Muharam
• Maulid Nabi - Birth of the Prophet Mohammad - 12th day of Rabiul
Awal
•Isra Miraj - Ascension of the Prophet Mohammad - 27th day of the 7th
month. Commemorates the ascension of the Prophet Mohammad to
Heaven. Prayers are held at neighborhood mosques.
• Hari Raya Idul Fitri or Lebaran - End of the Ramadan fasting
month - 1 Syawal
• Idul Adha or Lebaran Haji - Muslim Day of Sacrifice - 10th day of
Dzulhijjah. Commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son
upon God's command. Falls at the end of the annual Haj pilgrimage to
Mecca. Mass prayers are held in mosques and large open areas around
the country. Animals are sacrificed and the meat is given to the poor.
Hari Raya Idul Fitri or Lebaran
The end of the month of Ramadan, the Muslim month of
fasting. Mass prayers are held in mosques and large open
areas around the country. Celebrated with the traditional
dish ketupat and visiting with family and friends. Charity
donations (amal) are traditionally given at this time.
Continued . .
MUDIK
Over 3 million people exodus from Jakarta occurs
as residents return to their villages to celebrate
with family and friends. Begging of forgiveness
for any transgressions or slights in the past year is
expressed during visits, Mohon Maaf Lahir dan
Batin. A Lebaran bonus, THR, is traditionally
given to all Muslim staff or employees prior to the
holidays. In urban areas halal-bihalal (mutual
begging of pardon) gatherings are held. This is
the time of year when Muslims traditionally buy
new clothes.
Idul Adha or Lebaran Haji
Muslim Day of
Sacrifice - 10th day
of Dzulhijjah .
Idul Adha
continued. . .
Commemorates Abraham's willingness to
sacrifice his son upon God's command. Falls
at the end of the annual Haj pilgrimage to
Ka’bah in Mekah. Mass prayers are held in
mosques and large open areas around the
country. Onta, goat, or cow are sacrificed and
the meat is given to the poor.
Christian holidays in
Indonesia
• Wafat Isa Almasih - Good Friday Commemorates the death of Jesus.
• Hari Paskah - Easter - Celebrates the day Jesus
arose from the dead
• Kenaikan Isa Almasih - Ascension of Christ Commemorates the day Jesus ascended into
Heaven.
• Hari Natal - Christmas - Celebrates the birth of
Jesus Christ.
Hindu holidays in Indonesia
Hari Raya Galungan – Galungan
Celebrates the coming of the Gods and the ancestral
spirits to earth to dwell again in the homes of the
descendants. The festivities are characterized by
offerings, dances and new clothes.
Hari Raya Nyepi - Nyepi
Hindu Day of Silence or the Hindu New Year in the
Balinese Saka calendar.
The largest celebrations are held in Bali as well as in
Balinese Hindu communities around Indonesia.
On New Year's Eve the villages are cleaned, food is
cooked for 2 days and in the evening as much noise is
made as possible to scare away the devils. On the
following day, Hindus do not leave their homes, cook or
engage in any activity. Streets are deserted, and tourists
are not allowed to leave hotel complexes.
Buddhist holidays in Indonesia
Hari Waisak - Waisak Day - April or May
Commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of
Gautama Buddha.
This celebration is enlivened by religious and social
activities in Buddhist temples around the country.
In Indonesia, the largest Buddhist temples, Candi
Mendut and Candi Borobudur, both located in the
Magelang Regency of Central Java not far from
Yogyakarta, are the focus of interest and attract those
observing the holiday and tourists.
National Holidays
August 17th, Hari
Proklamasi Indonesia –
Indonesian
Independence Day
Indonesians independence day
Indonesians celebrate the
proclamation of independence from
350 years of Dutch colonial rule.
Festivities abound in cities and
villages alike, organized by the
government, neighborhood
community associations and
organizations.
International Holidays
January 1st, Tahun Baru - New Year's Day
New Year's Eve is celebrated with some revelry in urban
areas. Hotels, discos and major restaurants offer
special meals, entertainment and dancing.
January - February Imlek - Chinese New Year
The Lunar New Year is celebrated by Indonesians of
Chinese ancestry. Visiting of family and friends, special
dishes and gifts of ampau (money) mark the day's
activities. Dragon dances are held and limited outdoor
decorations are seen on businesses and homes.
Commemorative Days
April 21st Hari Kartini - Kartini Day
The birthday of Raden Ajeng Kartini, a
prominent leader in the women's
emancipation movement in Indonesia.
The event is marked by activities within
women's groups. In Indonesian schools
children compete in national dress
competitions.
May 2nd Hari Pendidikan Nasional - National
Education Day
Celebrates the birth, growth and progress in the
Indonesian education system. Ceremonies are held
at schools across the nation.
May 20th Hari Kebangkitan Nasional - National
Awakening Day
September 30th G30S-PKI (pronounced gay tiga
puluh es)
Commemorates the attempted overthrow of the
Indonesian government by the Communist Party of
Indonesia.
October 1st Hari Kesaktian Pancasila
October 5th Hari ABRI - Armed Forces Day
Commemorates the glories and achievements of the Indonesian Armed
Forces, highlighting and reaffirming their unique role in Indonesian society.
October 28th Hari Sumpah Pemuda - Youth Pledge Day
Commemorates the uniting of the Indonesian youth against the Dutch and
the pledge they developed on this day in 1928.
November 10th Hari Pahlawan - Hero's Day
Solemn ceremonies are held at national cemeteries around the
archipelago. Those official designated as heroes by the Indonesian
government are honored in a variety of forums and activities.
December 22nd Hari Ibu - Mother's Day
Events highlight the unique role of mothers specifically, and women in
general.
Languages and Dialects
Indonesia`s National Language is called the Bahasa
Indonesia.
Languages and dialects spoken and written over the whole of
the Indonesian archipelago, 150 to 250 in number a usually
classified according to the above mentioned ethnic
denominations.
The main district local languages of Indonesia are among
others; the Acehnese, Batak, Sundanese, Javanese, Sasak,
Tetum of Timor, Minahasa, Toraja, Buginese, Halmahera,
Ambonese,, and other such languages.
In between these langugages there exist many other different
dialects.
ETNIC GROUPS IN INDONESIA
PAPUA
Etnic groups
There are about 500 ethnic groups in Indonesia
spread from Sabang (the northernmost tip of
Sumatra) to Merauke in Papua.
The Javanese community is the largest number of
Indonesia`s total population, followed by the
Sundanese, Madurese, Minangkabau, Buginese,
Batak, and the Balinese. Other ethnic groups are
among others the Ambonese, Sasaks, the
Acehnese, etc. Apart from the Indigenous
communities, other sub communities of foreign
descent are the Chinese, Arabs and Indians.
Wedding ceremonies
Given the broad diversity of ethnic
groups in Indonesia, it stands to reason
that wedding customs will reflect this
diversity. Each ethnic group has
different wedding dress and different
marriage ceremonies and customs.
Within ethnic groups, those of different
religious backgrounds will have
different practices as well.
Attending the wedding party
Indonesians are truly honored by your
attendance at a wedding. Attending shows
that you care, that you respect the people
involved and your relationship with them,
that you honor the family and want to show
your support of the newlyweds. Don't
question the intent of colleagues or
subordinates who, upon short acquaintance,
invite you to their daughter's or son's
wedding. They really do want you to come!
LIVING IN PEACE AND HARMONY
NATURAL RESOURCES
KARST/LIMESTONE MINE
TYPE OF HOUSE BUILDING
RUMAH PANGGUNG
MASJID SERIBU TIANG, JAMBI
Interesting places
SUNSET IN KUTA BEACH, BALI
KAWAH SIKIDANG (SIKIDANG VULCANO), DIENG
PLATEU
THREE COLOUR LAKE, DIENG PLATEU
fishery
Tambak udang
keramba
GOVERMENT OFFICE
NATUNA BUPATI (REGION AUTHORITY) OFFICE