Home ::
Indonesian Culture
Summary
Indonesian culture is an amalgomation of many different cultures, local and international. It's location has lent to the meeting of many peoples from east and west in those islands, as well as the varieties of local ethnicities existant.
The categories to the left will provide you will various YouTube® samples of Indonesian Culture. We hope this helps you connect a bit more with the culture in which we minister!
Music
Content of the songs is mystical philosophy for Javanese culture. Joglosemar has quite a bit of information on the philosophy and theory behind the dances themselves.
Gamelan (percussion instrument):
Javanese Gamelan:
Sunda Javanese Gamelan:
Performing Arts
Angklung:
Dance: Traditional/Classical
The more traditional and classical dances and musics are more philosophically based. And usually are taken from religious mythology of the past with the purpose of conveying philisophical meaning to the people. Every gesture, every movement converys specific symbols taken from nature, such as the movement of the wind, clouds, water and even the movement of animals. Some of them are based on martial arts.
Javanise "Doll Dance"
In this video, the song is sung in an ancient language. The dancer is representing the beauty of a doll.
Papuan Dance
Locals are entertaining tourists in Papua. This race is of African descent.
Balinese Dance
This welcoming dance is not performed by an arts group, but by average local people. This is their life, how they dress, act, etc. These Balinese people are the remnant of the ancient Indonesian culture before Islam was spread in the area.
Sundanese Dance
This dance represents a queen beautifying herself.
Performing Arts
This video is a battle between a palace knight and evil monsters that hinder his way. This represents the fight of the spirit against lust in order to attain virtue. This puppetry was developed thousands of years ago.
This traditional Indonesian dramatic play is based on ancient mythology, a meeting in the palace of the king.
Arabic Influence
Portugese Influence
This song was written by Mr. Gesang from Solo, Central Java, where our first Orthodox Church is located. The song is about the River Solo and became popular in the far east as well as throughout Indonesia. Solo is the cradle of Javanese culture.
Chinese Influence
Dance: Modern
With the coming of modern influence from the west, arabic countries or others, Indonesian culture developed certain genres of musical traditions which are often devoid of any philisophical content. Some of them are downright sensual and vulgar.
Dangdut
Explicit