"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts."
- Aristotle -
Indonesia is a true mosaic of culture and diversity and a beautiful place to begin.
Here are some facts about Indonesia to start us off:
Largest archipelago country in the world
Largest country in Southeast Asia
273.8 million people; 4th most populous country in the world
Geography:
An archipelago is a grouping of islands. There are five main islands and six groups of smaller islands and islets here in Indonesia, making a total of 17 500, in which 6 thousand are inhabited. Thus the name comes from the Greek “inda” meaning India and “nesa” meaning islands.
The country lies across the equator in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea/Pacific Ocean, also bordered by the Bafura and Timor Seas and the Bay of Bengal. The total land area of the islands is just a little bit smaller than Mexico. It spans about an eighth of the circumference of the earth.
Indonesia divides two continents - Asia to the north and Australia/Oceana to the south. The nation shares land borders with Malaysia, Papau New Guinea, and Timor-Leste; and maritime borders with The Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore and India.
Landscape:
The landscape of Indonesia is remarkable and quite diverse.
shorelines and beaches
coastal plains
soaring mountain peaks that reach into the clouds
120 active volcanoes (3rd highest amount in the world)
Lies at the centre of the Ring of Fire and the Alpide Belt
deep-sea trenches
dense tropical rainforests
rich agricultural land with terraced rice fields and tropical fruit trees
shallow oceans with coral reef
sprawling cities
tiny villages
This country is one of the most biodiverse places on Planet Earth; and by far holds the richest marine biodiversity.
Indonesia has a tropical climate as it lies on the equator. The mountainous areas are a little bit cooler, due to the higher elevation. As for seasons, there are two: rainy (November-March) and dry (April-October).
The people:
The ethnic diversity here ranges just as greatly as the land. There are more than 1300 recognized ethnic groups throughout these islands, each with uniquely developed languages, cultural practices and traditions. Of the indigenous groups, Javanese is the largest (of the island of Java). Archaeological finds place the first human beings in Indonesia in 78 AD on the island of Java, arriving from both India and East Africa. By 125 AD, there were arrivals from China and different parts of Southeast Asia. These islands acted as incubators for the evolution of the human race.
Many foreign ethic groups have arrived through Indonesia’s long and winding history of trade, as it is situated at a true crossroads of the world. With the agriculturally fertile land, many people came for farming, whether freely or not. Fishing is a major draw as well.
The arrival of the Europeans greatly influenced Indonesia, bringing with them the clamour and brutality of empire. The Portuguese first conquered Indonesia in 1516, then the Netherlands, who colonized these islands the longest, holding rule from 1596-1942, and appointed the name, The Dutch East Indies. The Japanese gained power of Indonesia through WW11, ending the Dutch rule. Japan fell in 1945, and Indonesia finally gained independence as a nation in 1949, becoming the Republic of Indonesia.
Indonesia is now home to many Malay, Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern, and European settlers. The island of Java, where the capital city of Jakarta is located, is the most diverse, and the other islands vary.
I’ve only scratched the surface into the complexity of Indonesian history. A history that is displayed through rich cultural diversity, unlike anywhere else in the world. The influence of these cultures can be seen throughout the country in countless forms.
Here are some examples:
Architecture:
The rooflines illustrate the diversity that shows up in architecture, forming a truly eclectic landscape. Traditional houses made of bamboo, straw and palm trees are still present on many of the islands, mixed in with the colonial-style buildings of Europe. Then there are incredibly ornate Hindu temples marking the sky, the beautiful peaks of mosques peering down at you, and the pagoda style Buddhist dwellings and temples.
Religion:
The people in Indonesia are incredibly connected to the land, and many religious and spiritual practices here are closely linked to the earth. Animism is widely practiced by the indigenous groups of Indonesia. Animism is a polytheist religion (multiple gods), defined by a deep spiritual connection to nature, and having an ancestral relationship to all living things.
The most widely recognized religions present here are Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism. Although Animism is not recognized officially, it holds similarities, and has been adapted to Hindu and Buddhist belief systems. There are many beautiful places of worship throughout the country: temples, mosques, churches and statues. You will find many representations of religion and spirituality that are tangible and auditory, just very much a part of the sensory landscape.
Hindu offerings:
Daily offerings are crafted and placed on doorsteps. Baskets are handcrafted, woven out of palm tree bark, some of the strands are dyed in colours. Flower pedals are dipped in holy water and placed in the basket with offerings like fruit, crackers, sweets, and tobacco. Incense is burned to transport the gift to the spiritual realm. There are also offerings that line the streets, crafted in the same way the baskets are. They hang like ornaments and some are incredibly intricate. You also see them displayed at the temples.
Each region in Indonesia has this tradition in different forms, as the tradition of giving offerings has existed since before religion entered the archipelago. Animism and other indigenous belief systems ritualize offerings.
Muslim Prayers:
Prayers are transmitted through loudspeakers of the mosques. People read from the Quran at different prayer times throughout the day. They really are quite moving, especially the first time I heard one. I actually love the sound of it. I definitely feel connected to my surroundings as my senses work to orient themself. It just struck me that there is more to this life than what's right in front of us.
Just on a side note… I hold the opinion that you don’t have to support or negate a religion to appreciate some aspects of it. And this is such a different world here. I don't think its possible for us to fully grasp all the workings of a foreign place, but this doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate what provides meaning in someone's life.
Food:
The food is another great representation of the history and cultures that are present here in Indonesia. Food offers an intimate glance into customs and traditions. One of the best places to try authentic food is at the local markets. They’re called open-air markets because they are outdoors, and all the sounds, smells, and sights mingle together, offering up a feast for the senses. In the open air, there are few boundaries to seperate people and what we all have in common; what can bring us together - food. The people working the market are deeply connected to what they grow, harvest, prepare and serve. Street food is such a big part of Southeast Asia. In Indonesia, these markets are called outdoor foodcourts. The dishes served are most often family recipes passed down through the generations. Each island, region and family has their own take on certain dishes, depending on the local and seasonal ingredients they have access to.
The five national dishes of Indonesia are Nasi Goreng, Gado-gado, Soto, Sate, and Rendang. More on these dishes and others later!
The places I’ve been in the last couple of weeks have been truly amazing. I'm looking forward to sharing my stories with you. It already seems as if I’ve been here a lifetime. Travel really slows time down for me! I’m totally invigorated as I immerse myself in this new world, savouring everything I can. And it’s only just begun.
References & Further Reading:
Great to see you delving deep in the places and cultures you’re experiencing Emily. And love that you’re taking us readers on the ride with you ❤️xo