Category Archives: Culture
What the People do on River?
For some of the Indonesian, river is an important aspect in their life. It is not just a pathway for water, but it can be the pathway of life. Many activities can be done on the river from just washing, take a bath to activities like buying, selling and spiritual rites.
Processions behind Sekaten
Sekaten is a religious and cultural event, and a fair to be held at Kasultanan Ngayogyakarta (Yogyakarta) and Kasunanan Surakarta (Sala). This event is held to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad, the foundedr of Islam. As we know Islam is the majority religion in Indonesia. In Yogyakarta, this event is full of spiritual ceremonies that should be done in a series. What are the processions from the start until the end?
Waruga, the Archaeological Relic at Minahasa
When I travel to North Sulawesi, I visit not only Bunaken at Manado but also archaeological remains at Sawangan village, Airmadidi, Minahasa Regency. The people call the relic ‘Waruga’. The word waruga consists of two words: waru (means a house), and ruga (means body). Therefore, it means ‘the house for the body that backs to the heaven’. From its meaning, may be you guess it as a cemetery. Yes, you are right, but it is a unique burial place for the ancestors of Minahasa.
Gasingan, the Legendary Javanese Toy
At the past, when the civilization was not as modern as now, the Javanese made their own toys. Toys were made from materials that they found in their surrounding. Materials like coconut fiber, wood and bamboo were most used. With those materials, the people were able to make toys like car, boat, and gasingan.
Well, here I want to tell about a legendary toy that has name Gasingan or Gasing. Today, this toy is rare; it is not played by the children anymore. Kids prefer to play video games, watch TV or RC car than play gasingan. Moreover, many kids do not know if this toy exists. The only place that we can find this toy is at tourism place around Yogyakarta. I found it at Kraton and at Gembira Loka zoo. The price for this toy is cheap, it is about IDR4, 000. It will be cheaper when we can bid well.
Motorcycle, the Most Popular Vehicle in Indonesia
If you walk on the streets in Indonesia, you will find how much the motorcycles pass by. Brands from Japan like Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki are the most dominating. Indonesian people from government officer to high school student use motorcycle. Year by year, the demand is increasing, that machine is a necessity than a lavish assets.
Why motorcycle is so popular in Indonesia? To answer it, we have to look back to the economic aspect of the people. Most people are live in the middle class; they earn not more than IDR 1,500,000 per month. With their high mobility, they need fast and cheap transportation vehicle. Motorcycle is the most appropriate; it is relatively cheap and fast. To get a motorcycle is simply pay about IDR 500,000 for the down payment, and then they only need to pay the credit for about IDR 450,000 per month for about 4-5 years.
