The Original Exotic Cultures From Indonesia

Indonesia has many famous things that been well-known thru all over the world for centuries. But it is interesting to know that recently there are a lot of countries claim some of them are belong to theirs. Well…. You should not wonder why. Indonesia has been known as a country which consists of many beauty and exotic cultures. Some of them have been promoted and introduced to worldwide quiet often. I believe some people who ever visit Indonesia felt the culture is suitable for their country. So they took it and claimed them as theirs.

There are lots of interesting, exotic, and fascinating things from Indonesia that has been known (even been claimed by other countries) thru the world. Here are some of them :

BENGAWAN SOLO

Bengawan Solo is a song about Solo River, which flows through central and eastern Java, Indonesia, & is the longest river in Java Island. By end of 90’s, there are some Asia countries claims this song as theirs. Actually this song was made by Gesang Martohartono, a very well-known Javanese musician . He wrote that song in 1940, using local kroncong style.

Kroncong – pronounced “kronchong” - itself is the name of ukulele-type instrument and it is one of Indonesia musical style. One group of kroncong band typically consist of two ukuleles, a cello, a guitar, a bass, and a lead vocal. Kroncong music has been known since 16^th century.

The song describes the legendary Solo River in a poetic and nostalgic way, that it is surrounded by mountains, it sources are near the city of Solo, and the uses of it in the past.This song is very popular (even until today) especially among Japanese during their occupation in Indonesia in 1943 – 1945. They brought the song with them to Japan after returning from the war, and introduced it worldwide. Since then, this song gained a large popularity, especially after been recorded by Japanese singers, such as Toshi Matsuda.

Bengawan Solo became a big hit in Chinese society after Malaysian singer, Ms Poon Sow Keng and Ms Koo Mei, sang it in Mandarin versions in 1957. Since then, this song is on of the best known Chinese oldies.

Many artists have recorded the song, among whom are Waldjinah (The Queen of Kroncong from Indonesia), AnnekeGronloh, Rebecca Pan (Chinese singer), and Frances Yip (Hong Kong’s Cantopop singer).

RASA SAYANGE

Another popular song that once had been claimed by other country is Rasa Sayange. Created by Paulus Pea from Ambon (an Indonesian ethnic group in Maluku, an island group east of Sulawesi, Indonesia). This song was used by Dutch East Indies Government (when they were colonized Indonesia in 1925) when made a tourism promotion. Malaysia use this song as a soundtrack for their movie, Antara Dua Darjat (1960, directed by P. Ramlee), which instantly became a hit. Since then, people believe the song was made by Malaysia composer. This statement became a controversy and became bigger when Malaysian Tourism Board used this song on their advertisement to promote Malaysian tourism industry. On November 2007, Malaysia finally returned claimed the song.

Besides in Malaysia, this song also very popular in Singapore and is often sung at social events or dinner parties.

REOG

In 2008, Malaysia claimed Reog is one of their origin cultures (according to them, this dance came from Batu Pahat Johor and Selangor, Malaysia) and named it as Tari Barongan (Tiger Dance). This claim has raising anger, especially Indonesia art society.

Historically, Reog was created by Ki Ageng Kutu, one of servant of Bhre Kertabhumi, King of Majapahit Kingdom that rules West Java in 15^th century. Reog is the name of the big lion mask (known as “Singa Barong” – literally means King of the Jungle) with peacock feather on its head and been arranged like a very big fan. This is the main equipment of the Reog Dance (it is 50 kg weight!!). One person wear the mask and dance, while sometimes wave it. Some dancers wore paper horse and a person wore red face clown mask are the additional.

Recently Reog has been registered officially (No. 026377/11 Feb 2004 in Law and Human Rights Department of Indonesia) as one of the original culture and art from West Java.

BATIK

It is a wax-resist dyeing technique used on textile that been well known and as a trade mark of Indonesia, especially Jogjakarta (one of the biggest city in Indonesia, located in Central Java). Recently, batik patterns can be found easily in several countries such as West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Uganda, and Mali), India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iran, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Burma.

 

SONGKET

Literally means “embroidery fabric that made from gold or silver threads”, songket is a hand-woven in silk or cotton. It is intricately patterned with gold or silver threads. In weaving process, the embroiderer inserted metallic threads between the silk or cotton weft threads to create a shimmering effect. Songket is a luxury product traditionally worn during ceremonial occasions. It has been known and produced in Sumatera Island since centuries and spread out to Kalimantan, Bali, Sulawesi, Lombok, and Sumbawa. Recently it also produce in east coast of Malay Peninsula and Brunei.

SILAT / PENCAK SILAT

It is a martial art forms, a combative art of fighting and survival. It usually accompanied with traditional instruments, such as kendang (double headed drum), and sometimes looks like folk dance.

Since 7^th century AD, Silat has been a well-known martial art in Minangkabau (an ethnic group in highland of West Sumatera). Silat itself comes from Silek (Minangkabau language). When Islam spread throughout the archipelago in the 14^th century, it was taught alongside silat. Silat became a spiritual training as well as being a combat art and folk dance.

In 1948, the term of Silat has been change into “Pencak Silat”. Pencak is the performance aspects of the martial art, while Silat is the essence of the fighting and self-defense.

KECAK DANCE

It is a form of Balinese music drama that performed primarily by men. It is also known as Ramayana Monkey Chant. Usually it performed by a circle of more than 100 performers wearing checked cloth around their waists and percussively chanting “cak” while throwing up their hands. This form of dance has been introduced by I Limbak, a well-known dancer from Bali, and has been performed since 1920.

In 1930, a German painter and musician Walter Spies had a deeply intereted in this dance and recreate it into a drama, based on the Hindu Ramayana’s story. He also adding a dance in it. Spies worked with Wayan Limbak – another well-known Bali dancer – to popularize the dance by traveling throughout the world with their Balinese Performance Groups. It helped Kecak been known and famous throughout the world as today.

SATE

It is a dish consisting of diced or sliced chicken, goat, mutton, beef, pork, or fish, use bamboo skewers, and grilled over a charcoal fire, then served with various spicy seasoning. It was invented by Javanese street vendors in early 19^th century. It has been considered as the national dish, since it is easily to find in any city in Indonesia with many variations. Some popular sate variations are Sate Madura (originally from island of Madura, near Java), Sate Padang (from Padang, West Sumatera), Sate Tegal (from Tegal, Central Java), Sate Banjar (from South Kalimantan), Sate Makasar (from Southern Sulawesi), Sate Babi / Pork Sate (in Jakarta), etc.

TEMPE

It is a Javanese traditional food, made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form. It made from soybeans which consist of higher content of protein, dietary fiber, and vitamins (compared to tofu, which also made from soybeans). Tempe is often prepared by cutting it into pieces, soaking in brine or salty sauce, and then frying. Cooked tempe can be eaten alone, used chilli, stir frys, soups, salad, or stews. Tempe ha been used worldwide in vegetarian cuisine. Even some consider it to be a meat analogue.

ANGKLUNG

It is a musical instrument made out of two bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame. The tubes are curved so they have a resonant pitch when struck. Angklung is used and played by the Sundanese (an ethnic group native to West Java). Daeng Soetigna, a music maestro from Bandung, West Java, expanded angklung notations to diatonic scale in 1938. Since then, angkung often played together with western music instrument in an orchestra. The very well-known performances of angklung in an orchestra were made during Bandung Conference in 1955.

Angklung has been known not only in Asia, but also its popularity spreads thru America. One of the well-known angklung ensembles is Angklung Buncis Sukahejo, a Sundanese angklung ensemble at The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington.

WAYANG

Literally means “theater”, Wayang is a kind of traditional puppet show. People believe wayang already exist in Indonesia since the first century CE, before Hinduism came to Southeast Asia. The first record of wayang performance is from an inscription dated 930 CE which say “Si Galigi Mawayang” (Javanese words, means “Sir Galigi played wayang”). 

It believes that “Sir Galigi” was an itinerant performer who was requeted to perform a special royal occasion that time.

Most story of wayang was taken from Hindus story, such as the Mahabharata or the Ramayana. The wayang’s player called dalang (mostly played by male. Wayang today is both the most ancient and most popular form of Puppet Theater in the world. UNESCO designated Wayang as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on November 7, 2003.