The culture of Indonesia has been
shaped by long interaction between original indigenous customs and multiple
foreign influences. Indonesia
is centrally-located along ancient trading routes
between the Far East, South Asia and the Middle East,
resulting in many cultural practices being strongly influenced by a multitude
of religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam and Christianity, all
strong in the major trading cities. The result is a complex cultural mixture
very different from the original indigenous cultures.
Examples of cultural fusion include the fusion of Islam with Hindu in
Javanese Abangan belief, the
fusion of Hinduism, Buddhism and animism
in Bodha, and the
fusion of Hinduism and animism in Kaharingan; others
could be cited. Balinese dances have stories about ancient Buddhist
and Hindu kingdoms, while Islamic art forms
and architecture are present in Sumatra, especially in the Minangkabau and Aceh
regions. Traditional art, music and sport are combined in a martial art form
called Pencak Silat.
Western
culture has greatly influenced Indonesia in science, technology and
modern entertainment such as television shows, film and music, as well as political
system and issues. India has notably
influenced Indonesian songs and movies. A popular type of song is the
Indian-rhythmical dangdut, which is
often mixed with Arab and Malay folk music.Despite the influences of foreign culture, some remote Indonesian regions
still preserve uniquely indigenous culture. Indigenous ethnic groups Mentawai, Asmat, Dani, Dayak, Toraja and many others are still
practicing their ethnic rituals, customs and wearing traditional clothes.
As in much of South
East Asia, traditional vernacular architecture in Indonesia are
built on stilts, with the significant exceptions of Java and Bali. Notable stilt houses are
those of the Dayak
people in Borneo, the Rumah Gadang of the
Minangkabau people in western Sumatra, the Rumah Bolon of the Batak people in northern Sumatra, and the Tongkonan of the Toraja people in Sulawesi. Oversized
saddle roofs with large eaves, such as the homes of the Batak and the tongkonan
of Toraja, are often bigger than the house they shelter. The fronts of Torajan
houses are frequently decorated with buffalo horns, stacked one above another,
as an indication of status. The outside walls also frequently feature
decorative reliefs.
The 8th-century Borobudur
temple near Yogyakarta is the
largest Buddhist temple in the world, and is notable for incorporating about
2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues into its structure, telling the
story of the life of the Buddha. As the visitor ascends through the eight
levels of the temple, the story unfolds, the final three levels simply
containing stupas and statues
of the Buddha. The building is said to incorporate a map of the Buddhist cosmos
and is a masterful fusion of the didactic narrative relief, spiritual
symbolism, monumental design and the serene meditative environs. The whole
monument itself resembles a giant stupa, but seen from above it forms a mandala.
The nearby 9th-century temple complex at Prambanan contains
some of the best preserved examples of Hindu temple architecture in Java. The temple complex
comprises eight main shrines, surrounded by 224 smaller shrines. The Indian
influence on the site is clear, not only in the style of the monument, but also
in the reliefs featuring scenes from the Ramayana which
adorn the outer walls of the main temples, and in the votive statuary found
within.The cuisine of Indonesia has been influenced by Chinese culture and
Indian culture, as
well as by Western
culture. However in return, Indonesian cuisine has also contributed
to the cuisines of neighboring countries, notably Malaysia and
Singapore, where Padang or Minangkabau cuisine from West Sumatra is very
popular. Also Satay (Sate in Indonesian), which originated from Java, Madura, and Sumatra,
has gained popularity as a street vendor food from Singapore to Thailand. In
the 15th century, both the Portuguese and Arab traders arrived in Indonesia with the
intention of trading for pepper and other spices. During the colonial era,
immigrants from many countries arrived in Indonesia and brought different
cultures as well as cuisines.
Most native Indonesians eat rice
as the main dish, with a wide range of vegetables and meat as side dishes.
However, in some parts of the country, such as Irian Jaya and Ambon, the majority
of the people eat sago (a type of tapioca) and sweet potato.The most important aspect of modern Indonesian cuisine is that food must be halal, conforming to Islamic food laws. Haraam, the opposite of halal, includes pork and alcohol. However, in some regions where there is a significant
non-Muslim population, non-halal foods are also commonly served.
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