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Indonesian Food: 11 Traditional Dishes You Should Eat - Rainforest Cruises

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Indonesia consists of 17,000 islands full of different flavors and tastes. Food in Indonesia is a mix of local biodiversity and centuries of influences by the

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The national costume of Indonesia is the national costume that represents the Republic of Indonesia. It is derived from Indonesian culture and Indonesian traditional textile traditions. Today the most widely recognized Indonesian national costumes include batik and kebaya, although originally those costumes mainly belong within the island of Java and Bali, most prominently within Javanese, Sundanese and Balinese culture. Since Java has been the political and population center of Indonesia, folk costume from the island has become elevated into national status.

As a multi-diverse country, Indonesia having more than 30 provinces, each has its own representation of traditional attire and dress from each province with its own unique and distinguished designs.

National costumes are worn during official occasions as well as traditional ceremonies. The most obvious display of Indonesian national costumes can be seen by the type of costumes worn by the President of Indonesia and the Indonesian first lady in many and different types of occasions and settings, and also worn by Indonesian diplomatic officials during gala dinners. Traditional weddings and formal ceremonies in Indonesia are also one of the important occasions in the country where the attire of the national costume of Indonesia is absolutely visible ranging from traditional to modern attire different from each region it is representing.

Batik is a cloth that is traditionally made using a manual wax-resist dyeing technique to form intricate patterns. Traditionally batik cloth is a large piece of intricately decorated cloth used by Javanese women as kemben or torso wrap. Batik cloth were wrapped around the hips with multiple folds in front called wiron, while the upper torso wear kebaya fitted dress. Traditionally for men, the edge of batik cloth also can be sewn together to make a tubular cloth as sarong, or wrapped around hips as kain in fashion similar to women's. Later for men, the batik cloth also sewn and made into contemporary batik men's shirt.

Batik is recognized as one of the important identity of Indonesian culture. UNESCO designated Indonesian batik as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on October 2, 2009. As part of the acknowledgment, UNESCO insisted that Indonesia preserve their heritage.

Batik shirts, which are commonly worn by men in Indonesia (especially in Java), are usually worn during formal occasions; such as attending weddings, traditional ceremonies, formal meetings, communal gatherings, etc. Sometimes men who wear batik shirt usually also wearing a or peci cap to make it more formal in a traditional way. Batik shirts have two types of cuts: long sleeves for formal occasions, and short sleeves for casual to semi-formal occasions. Batik shirt or blouse are also available for women. Batik pattern differs from region to region, especially across Java and other islands, and have their own motifs or patterns unique to respective local tradition and culture.

The is the national costume of women from Indonesia, although it is more accurately endemic to the Javanese, Sundanese and Balinese peoples. It is sometimes made from sheer material such as silk, thin cotton or semi-transparent nylon or polyester, adorned with brocade or floral pattern embroidery. Kebaya is usually worn with a sarong or batik kain panjang, or other traditional woven garment such as , with a colorful motif.

The earliest form of kebaya originates in the court of the Javanese Majapahit Kingdom as a means to blend the existing female Kemban, torso wrap of the aristocratic women to be more modest and acceptable to the newly adopted Islam religion. Aceh, Riau and Johor kingdoms and Northern Sumatra adopted the Javanese style kebaya as a means of social expression of status with the more alus or refined Javanese overlords.

Kebaya is usually worn during official national events by the Indonesian first lady, wives of Indonesian diplomats, and Indonesian women in general. It also worn by Indonesian women attending traditional ceremonies and weddings. In Kartini day on 21 April Indonesian women usually wear kebaya to celebrate and honor the Indonesian women emancipation heroine. During Balinese traditional ceremonies, Balinese women wore colorful Balinese style kebaya with songket Bali.

The , also known as songkok or kopiah, is a cap traditionally worn by male Muslims in the Indonesian archipelago. It is quite similar to the Turkish-Egyptian . In Indonesia, the black velvet peci has become the national headdress with secular nationalist connotations made popular by Sukarno. A number of Indonesian nationalist movement activists in the early 20th century, such as Sukarno, Muhammad Hatta and Agus Salim, wore a peci to convey their nationalistic sentiments and to demonstrate their Indonesian identity. Indonesian male presidents always wear a peci as part of their official presidential attire.

Since then, the black velvet peci is approved to be the national head-dress for Indonesian men. It is worn all over Indonesia, especially by government officials and men (usually Muslim men) throughout the country. The peci is usually worn with batik shirt or western-style suits by men in Indonesia for those attending formal occasions. It is also commonly worn during Islamic religious occasions. Senior citizen Muslim men across Indonesia - usually in Jakarta who identify themselves as native Betawi people, also use this peci on an everyday basis. It is also a traditional head-dress of the Betawi people and also other ethnic groups, especially in the western parts of Indonesia which are mainly Muslims.

Other than national costumes, each of the provinces of Indonesia - more precisely every ethnic group of Indonesia, have their own regional traditional costumes. These regional costumes in Indonesian is called baju adat or pakaian adat, and derived from traditional Indonesian textile traditions and crafts. The best chance to see an example of Indonesian traditional costumes is by attending a traditional wedding ceremony. The traditional costumes differs according to its function and occasion; the most elaborate and extravagant ones usually reserved for bride and groom only, while a more common traditional costumes are worn by local people during traditional ceremonies. Some examples of Indonesian regional costumes ( baju adat) are:

Stamped batik, the design of which takes months to create; double weave from the islands of Nusa Tenggara, silk Bugis sarong from Sulawesi, gold-painted Balinese prada fabric; shimmering kain songket from Palembang utilizing silver and gold metallic threads weft in woven cotton or silk ikat; and weavings from Lampung. Weavings from the 34 provinces utilize different materials, methods, colors and designs. Primarily formed on back looms, weeks or months are spent creating intricate designs for everyday use or ceremonial wear. These weavings are primarily known by the different techniques that are used to create the distinctive designs.

The symbolism of the various ethnic groups is evident in the variety of textiles. Color, shapes and their arrangements all have special meanings. Certain designs can only be worn by women or men, or only by the members of the royal family or nobility. Special textiles are worn or exchanged in life cycle or rights of passage ceremonies celebrating birth, circumcision, puberty, marriage, childbearing and death. Textiles play an important role in many traditional events and ceremonies.

Written records dating to the fourteenth century document the importance of textiles in the social and religious lives of Indonesians. The highly distinctive traditional dress, or pakaian adat, best shows the diversity of uses of textiles throughout the archipelago. The even more elaborate bridal dress displays the best of each province's textile and ornamental jewelry traditions.

is the most popular waist worn garment in Indonesia mainly worn by men. It is popular among Muslim men across Indonesia and also by other regions and tribes throughout the country. It is mainly worn in Java, Bali, Sumatra, Kalimantan, and other places. It is very similar to the Indian Lungi.

, a hand-woven in silk or cotton, and intricately patterned with gold or silver threads. In Indonesia, songket is more prevalent in Sumatra and Lesser Sunda Islands (Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa), while in Java, batik is more popular. Various songket patterns are traditionally produced in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Bali, Sulawesi, Lombok and Sumbawa. In Sumatra the famous songket production centers is in Minangkabau Pandai Sikek area, West Sumatra, Jambi City. Jambi and Palembang, South Sumatra. In Bali, songket production villages can be found in Klungkung regency, especially at Sidemen and Gelgel village. While in the neighboring island of Lombok, the Sukarara village in Jonggat district, Central Lombok regency, is famous for songket making.

, a dyeing technique used to pattern textiles that employs a resist dyeing process on the yarns prior to dyeing and weaving the fabric. In Indonesia it is more prevalent in Lesser Sunda Islands, especially in Bali, Sumba, Flores and Timor islands. It is also can be found in Sumatra, Borneo and Sulawesi among Batak, Dayak and Toraja tribes.

, a traditionally hand-woven cotton fabrics, and intricately patterned, specific to Batak tribes of North Sumatra usually slung over the shoulder during traditional occasions.

, a traditionally hand-woven fabrics, specific to Lampung province on southern part of Sumatra.

Tenun, is actually a generic Indonesian term for "woven". It encompass wide variations of Indonesian traditional hand woven textiles.

In the Indonesian archipelago, the most basic and traditional way to wear a traditional garments, is just by wrapping the traditional fabrics around the hips as kain or sarong and secure it; and for women, wrapping the torso with kemben (torso wrap). This practice can still be found in Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara. Nevertheless, the development and the expansion of sewing and clothing techniques has creates tailored shirts for men and women. Tight fitting women's and tailored batik shirt for men is the example of traditional clothing that today transcends ethnic boundaries in Indonesia and has become a national costume. Other than those two, there are numbers of tailored clothings or shirt developed in Indonesia.

Baju koko also known as baju takwa, a traditional Malay-Indonesian men Muslim shirt, worn usually during religious occasions, such as shalat jumat or during (Eid al-Fitr) festival. It is usually worn with the and .

Beskap, Javanese traditional clothing worn usually by men for formal traditional attire

, is a classic Javanese female torso wrap historically common in Java and Bali, commonly uses batik cloth.

, Bugis-Makassar women's loose and rather transparent blouse, from South Sulawesi.

Daster is a women's informal home-dress made of thin fabric and is a full body dress. It usually has the motives of batik patterns and is widely worn by women inside the home in Indonesia.

Each different region, island, tribe, and culture in Indonesia has its own head-dress/head-gear worn traditionally by the particular people of the area. The or songkok is the national formal head-dress worn by men all over Indonesia, usually worn by government officials. Men's head-dress are usually made of traditional fabrics, while women's head-dress often consists of metal jewelries sometimes decorated with floral arrangements. Examples of different head-dress across the country are:

Konde or sanggul, originally referred to a type of hairdo. Today, it refers to a hairbun extension, attached to the back of the head. Commonly worn by women in Java and Bali as a part of their kain kebaya costume. The hairbuns are usually made from natural human hair. Konde is usually secured with a tusuk konde hairpin, and adorned with a jasmine flower garland or other hair ornaments.

Kembang goyang (lit.: "trembling flower") or cunduk mentul, a golden flower ornament attached to the hairbun. Similar metallic floral hair ornaments can be found throughout Indonesia, however it is more prevalent in Java and Bali.

Jamang, a gilded tiara-like crown, worn around the forehead to the side of the head. It was derived from Hindu-Buddhist heritage, now still worn in Javanese and Balinese wayang orang performance, Javanese dancers, and Sundanese bride headgear.

Siger, a large horned and gilded Lampung women's headgear. Today, usually made of brass. In Palembang, a smaller similar version is known as singkar.

Suntiang, a tall, large and rather heavy Minang gilded crown for the bride. Traditionally made from gold, today however, usually made from brass.

Tengkuluk tanduk, a horned head-dress made from folded traditional fabrics (usually songket), unique to Minang culture, especially Bundo Kanduang costume.

Kerudung, a traditional Muslim women's veil of loosely worn cloth over the head. Unlike completely covered jilbab, parts of hairs and neck are still visible.

, a more conservative generic Muslim women's veil, adopted from Middle Eastern style. Usually worn by more conservative Muslim women. Unlike kerudung, hair and neck are completely covered.

1. ^ Xia Ziyi (2011-11-16). "Cultural feast at ASEAN Fair". Xinhua. Archived from the original on 19 December 2011.

2. ^ Indonesian Batik Inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

3. Maenmas Chavalit, Maneepin Phromsuthirak: ^ Costumes in ASEAN: ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information: 2000:ISBN 974-7102-83-8. 293 pages

4. ^ Yusep Hendarsyah (28 April 2011). "Peci Hitam dan Identitas Paling Indonesia". Kompasiana. Archived from the original on 12 August 2012.

5. ^ "Tenun Songket Pandai Sikek (Sumatera Barat - Indonesia)". Archived from the original on 2016-04-23.

6. ^ Kartika Suardana. "Songket Bali, Busana dan Aksesori Nusantara". National Geographic Traveller Indonesia (in Indonesian) (Vol 1, No 6, 2009 ed.). Jakarta, Indonesia. p. 62.

7. ^ Manggalani L Ukirsari. "Songket Lombok, Busana dan Aksesori Nusantara". National Geographic Traveller Indonesia (in Indonesian) (Vol 1, No 6, 2009 ed.). Jakarta, Indonesia. p. 62.

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National costume of Indonesia - Wikipedia

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The national costume of Indonesia is the national costume that represents the Republic of Indonesia. It is derived from Indonesian culture and Indonesian traditional textile traditions. Today the most widely recognized Indonesian national costumes include batik and kebaya, although originally those costumes mainly belong within the island of Java and Bali, most prominently within Javanese, Sundanese and Balinese culture.

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The architecture of Indonesia, much like the country itself, is incredibly diverse and captivating. It reflects the melting pot of cultures that Indonesia has been, and shows us how traders and merchants that came here over the centuries have shaped its structures. One can see Chinese, Arab, European and Indian influences mixed together with traditional ethnic designs, which gave rise to the distinct flavour that Indonesian architecture has. For a deeper understanding of how the country's evolution is embedded in its buildings, read on:

1. Traditional Architecture in Indonesia

Traditional or vernacular homes of Indonesians are the best representation of their indigenous culture. Known as the Rumah Adat, these homes varied across regions and cultures but also had certain similarities. They were made of fibre, bamboo and timbre and had sloping roofs. Built to adapt to Indonesia's hot and wet climate, these houses were constructed on stilts, which protected goods from moisture and reduced the risk of water-borne diseases. The main strength of these stilt-houses, however, lay in their ability to absorb shock waves.

With the coming of modernity and an economy that discouraged collective resources, Rumah Adat houses are hardly, if at all, used anymore. Some of the locals have mixed the two, putting traditional Minang and Toraja roofs on modern concrete structures. This combination is in vogue for offices or museums, as a sign of national heritage. However, some vernacular homes have been retained as an attraction for tourists, especially in Tanah Toraja in South Sulawesi.

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2. Religious Architecture in Indonesia

Religion forms an integral part of people's lives in the Indonesian archipelago. The biggest influence came during the 'Indianized period' from the 4th to 15th centuries, which saw Buddhism and Hinduism gain a huge following in the country. The Prambanan complex in Yogyakarta is considered the finest example of Hindu architecture; It has tall and pointed roofs that feature elaborate carvings, dedicated to the Trimurti. The Trimurti is the worship of Brahma ( the creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer) as the three gods/processes that complete life on earth. However, the religion practised in Bali, Java and other Hindu-dominated pockets of Indonesia combines Trimurti worship with Buddhism and local animist beliefs, so what ultimately is practised is a completely new religion.

The temples in Indonesia reflect this uniqueness. Trademark features include a split Candi Bentar gate that shows symmetry and a Paduraksa gateway where a towering roof incorporates the threshold inside. Bale kulkuls are another common feature, which act as a watchtower or drum tower and lastly, the Meru towers that represent the heavenly abode of gods. Temples are usually divided into three zones or sanctums known as Nista mandala, Madhya mandala and Uttam mandala in ascending order of sanctity. While the Candi Bentar gate demarcates the outer world from the temple, the compound as the main gateway, the paduraksa is often used to demarcate the innermost holy sanctum, where the gods reside, from the middle sanctum.

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Islamic architecture is just as fascinating, especially in Indonesia, the country with the third-largest number of Muslims in the world. The 15th century saw Islam gain a strong foothold in Indonesia, particularly in Java and Sumatra. Mixed with the Hindu-Buddhist influence at that time, the architecture of mosques incorporated local flavours. Thus, initial mosques had elaborate gateways and multi-tiered roofs, similar to the Meru towers of temples. Instead of the typical minarets and domes, they were usually pyramid-shaped structures that stood on four pillars. The Great Mosque of Demak and Menara Kudus Mosque in Central Java are good examples of these.

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However, trading with Arab countries brought with it foreign influence to Indonesia. From the 19th century onwards, mosques were built similar to global Islamic architecture, with minarets and domes being used. They were even added to the older mosques, and are said to be a reflection of Indonesia's climb towards a more orthodox practice of Islam. The Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh and the Medan Grand Mosque in north Sumatra are prime examples of these.

3. Colonial Architecture in Indonesia

Formerly known as the Dutch East Indies, Indonesia retains much of its colonial architecture. When the Dutch first arrived, they favoured masonry and brick for building houses. The tried to bring craftsmanship from their home country to Indonesia, building canals with row houses. This, however, turned out to be disastrous in the hot and wet climate, leading to a massive outbreak of malaria and dysentery.

Over the years, the Dutch learned from their mistakes and combined local elements such as eaves and porticos to their buildings. Slowly neoclassical and neo-gothic influence began to seep into architecture, with the inclusion of columns and verandahs. This was most prominent in the Catholic churches in Java and its provinces. The Blenduk Church in Semarang and the Jakarta cathedral are fine examples of this style.

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4. Post-Independence Architecture in Indonesia

From the 1970s onward the International Style began to emerge in Indonesia, characterized by skyscrapers made of glass, steel and concrete. Ornaments were rejected, replaced by transparency and balance in most structures. Examples include the famous Hotel Indonesia and the Aceh Tsunami Museum. The government began to promote indigenous forms of architecture during this time, which led to a cultural fusion in many places. Modern buildings were topped with Minangkabau style roofs or the Meru-style multi-tiered roofs, as is seen in the University of Indonesia and state offices in Padang. In contemporary times, the country has embraced all facets of its history and culture; this is what makes its architecture so diverse and captivating to tourists from all over the world.

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The architecture of Indonesia, with its churches, mosques, and temples, mirrors its cultural evolution. The country has a lot to offer to the millions of visitors who come there looking for something unique. The legacy left behind by the Invaders and dynasties is carved into the walls, which is what makes Indonesian architecture exquisite.

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The 4 Major Styles of Architecture in Indonesia

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The architecture of Indonesia, much like the country itself, is incredibly diverse and captivating. It reflects the melting pot of cultures that Indonesia has been, and shows us how traders and merchants that came here over the centuries have shaped its structures.

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Table of Contents

Audio File: National anthem of Indonesia

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Indonesia, country located off the coast of mainland Southeast Asia in the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is an archipelago that lies across the Equator and spans a distance equivalent to one-eighth of Earth's circumference. Its islands can be grouped into the Greater Sunda Islands of Sumatra (Sumatera), Java (Jawa), the southern extent of Borneo ( Kalimantan), and Celebes (Sulawesi); the Lesser Sunda Islands (Nusa Tenggara) of Bali and a chain of islands that runs eastward through Timor; the Moluccas (Maluku) between Celebes and the island of New Guinea; and the western extent of New Guinea (generally known as Papua). The capital, Jakarta, is located near the northwestern coast of Java. In the early 21st century Indonesia was the most populous country in Southeast Asia and the fourth most populous in the world.

Indonesia was formerly known as the Dutch East Indies (or Netherlands East Indies). Although Indonesia did not become the country's official name until the time of independence, the name was used as early as 1884 by a German geographer; it is thought to derive from the Greek indos, meaning "India," and nesos, meaning "island." After a period of occupation by the Japanese (1942-45) during World War II, Indonesia declared its independence from the Netherlands in 1945. Its struggle for independence, however, continued until 1949, when the Dutch officially recognized Indonesian sovereignty. It was not until the United Nations (UN) acknowledged the western segment of New Guinea as part of Indonesia in 1969 that the country took on its present form. The former Portuguese territory of East Timor (Timor-Leste) was incorporated into Indonesia in 1976. Following a UN-organized referendum in 1999, however, East Timor declared its independence and became fully sovereign in 2002.

The Indonesian archipelago represents one of the most unusual areas in the world: it encompasses a major juncture of Earth's tectonic plates, spans two faunal realms, and has for millennia served as a nexus of the peoples and cultures of Oceania and mainland Asia. These factors have created a highly diverse environment and society that sometimes seem united only by susceptibility to seismic and volcanic activity, close proximity to the sea, and a moist, tropical climate. Nevertheless, a centralized government and a common language have provided Indonesia with some sense of unity. Furthermore, in keeping with its role as an economic and cultural crossroads, the country is active in numerous international trade and security organizations, such as ASEAN, OPEC, and the UN.

Land

Indonesia is the largest country in Southeast Asia, with a maximum dimension from east to west of about 3,200 miles (5,100 km) and an extent from north to south of 1,100 miles (1,800 km). It shares a border with Malaysia in the northern part of Borneo and with Papua New Guinea in the centre of New Guinea. Indonesia is composed of some 17,500 islands, of which more than 7,000 are uninhabited. Almost three-fourths of Indonesia's area is embraced by Sumatra, Kalimantan, and western New Guinea; Celebes, Java, and the Moluccas account for most of the country's remaining area.

Relief

The major Indonesian islands are characterized by densely forested volcanic mountains in the interior that slope downward to coastal plains covered by thick alluvial swamps that, in turn, dissolve into shallow seas and coral reefs. Beneath this surface the unique and complex physical structure of Indonesia encompasses the junction of three major sections of the Earth's crust and involves a complicated series of shelves, volcanic mountain chains, and deep-sea trenches. The island of Borneo and the island arc that includes Sumatra, Java, Bali, and the Lesser Sunda chain sit on the Sunda Shelf, a southward extension of the continental mass of Asia. The shelf is bounded on the south and west by deep-sea trenches, such as the Java Trench (about 24,440 feet [7,450 metres] deep at its lowest point), which form the true continental boundary. New Guinea and its adjacent islands, possibly including the island of Halmahera, sit on the Sahul Shelf, which is a northwestern extension of the Australian continental mass; the shelf is bounded to the northeast by a series of oceanic troughs and to the northwest by troughs, a chain of coral reefs, and a series of submarine ridges. The third major unit of the Earth's crust in Indonesia is an extension of the belt of mountains that forms Japan and the Philippines; the mountains run southward between Borneo and New Guinea and include a series of volcanoes and deep-sea trenches on and around Celebes and the Moluccas.

The relation between these three landmasses is not clearly understood. The present land-sea formations are somewhat misleading because the seas that lie on the Sunda and Sahul shelves are shallow and of geologically recent origin; they rest on the continental mass rather than on a true ocean floor. The Sunda Shelf in the vicinity of the Java Sea has relatively low relief, contains several coral reefs, and is not volcanic. The mountain system that stretches along the South China and Celebes seas of this shelf and that marks the outer edge of the continental mass of Asia, however, is an area of strong relief and is one of the most active volcanic zones in the world.

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The outer (southern) side of the chain of islands from Sumatra through Java and the Lesser Sundas forms the leading edge of the Southeast Asian landmass. It is characterized by active volcanoes, bounded to the south and west by a series of deep-sea trenches. On the inner (northern) side of the islands the volcanic mountains grade into swamps, lowlands, and the shallow Java Sea. This sheltered sea was formed at the close of the Pleistocene Epoch (about 12,000 years ago), and there is evidence of former land bridges, which facilitated the migration of plants and animals from the Asian continent.

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Indonesia | History, Flag, Map, Capital, Language, Religion, & Facts

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Indonesia, country located off the coast of mainland Southeast Asia in the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is an archipelago that lies across the Equator and spans a distance equivalent to one-eighth of Earth's circumference.

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Indonesia Facts for Kids

Learn some interesting information about Indonesia while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids!

Read about the capital city Jakarta, the many volcanoes, its population, islands, borders, cuisine, popular sports and much more.

Indonesia is officially called the Republic of Indonesia.

The country of Indonesia is ethnically diverse, with around 300 distinctive native ethnic groups and over 740 different languages and dialects spoken in the country.

Indonesia is part of the Malay Archipelago covering 5,150 km's (3,200 miles) east to west, between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Scattered over either side of the equator is more than 17,500 islands, of which about 6,000 are inhabited. The largest of these islands are Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo), Sulawesi, and the Indonesian part of New Guinea called Papua.

Indonesia is part of the Pacific Rim "Ring of Fire". The country has some 400 volcanoes, about 150 of these are active which is around 75% of all currently active volcanoes on Earth.

There are approximately 250 million people living in Indonesia (251,160,124) as of July 2013. It is the world's fourth most populous nation.

The capital and largest city of Indonesia is Jakarta, on the island of Java. Jakarta has a population of almost 14 million making it the world's ninth largest city.

The island of Java is home to 60% of the country's population (around 130 million people) making it the world's most populous island.

Indonesia shares land borders with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and East Timor.

The highest point in Indonesia is the peak of Puncak Jaya on the island of Papua sitting at 4,884 metres (16,024 ft) above sea level.

Indonesia's tropical wilderness supports some of the highest level of biodiversity in the world. The giant komodo dragon, Javan rhinoceros, tigers, orangutans, elephants, and leopards are all found in the jungle forests.

The economy of Indonesia centers around agriculture and oil, with approximately 90% of the population involved in agriculture.

The currency of Indonesia is called the Rupiah.

Based on Chinese, European, Middle Eastern, and Indian influences, Indonesian cuisine varies a lot by region. Traditional meals usually involve rice served with side dishes of fish or chicken, vegetables, spices and coconut milk.

Indonesians are fanatical about the game of badminton, often winning gold medals at the Olympic games in the sport. Football (soccer) is also a popular sport in the country.

For more information, check out maps of Indonesia or take a closer look at the Indonesian flag.

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Fun Indonesia Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about Indonesia

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Indonesia Facts for Kids Learn some interesting information about Indonesia while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids! Read about the capital city Jakarta, the many volcanoes, its population, islands, borders, cuisine, popular sports and much more. Indonesia is officially called the Republic of Indonesia.

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Type of government: republic with a president as the head of state and the head of government.

Money is the Rupiah (1 rupiah (Rp) is divided into 100 sen)

Main industries: fishing, petroleum, timber, paper products, cotton cloth, tourism, mining of petroleum, natural gas, bauxite, coal and tin, tourism.

Indonesia exports ( sells to other countries) oil and gas, electrical goods, textlies and rubber.

Main farm products: rice, soy beans, bananas, coffee, tea, palm, rubber, sugar cane, poultry, pork, and eggs.

Time difference from Australian Eastern Standard Time: Jakarta is three hours behind.

Climate and rainfall

The climate of Indonesia is tropical: hot, wet and humid. The temperature range on the coasts is between 24ºC and 28º C for most of the year. Strong winds called monsoons bring heavy rain in the wet season from December to March. There is less rain June between and September.

Physical features

Indonesia has many high mountains, the highest of which are over 4000 metres. The highest is Puncak Jaya (5029 metres) on Irian Jaya (also called West Papua).

Many of the mountains are active volcanoes. There are tropical rainforests and jungles, as well as swampy mangrove areas. Indonesia's most fertile land is on the island of Java.

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Information in the form of facts in brief for kids K - 6 about Indonesia with brief historical notes. Part of a larger unit about the country, with links to more information. For school and homeschooling projects or just reading for interest.

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With over 70,000 islands and a culture influenced by a multitude of religions, such as, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism, Indonesia is a land of rich cultural diversity. It is this diversity that manifests itself in customs, traditions and a varied heritage, be it art, dance, handicrafts and even clothing. While the Indonesia people are well adapted to the western culture, they have proudly preserved their customs and indigenous traditions.

Owing to their varied heritage, each province in Indonesia has its own traditional attire, dances and food. This article will take you on a journey of the Indonesian culture, especially focusing on the traditional dresses worn by the people of Indonesia on various occasions.

Often, when one thinks of Indonesia, a colorful image of women dressed in blazing fabrics, wearing accessories and headdresses, comes to mind. The most common traditional dresses you'll see natives wearing, belong to the Javanese, Sudanese and Balinese regions. One of the most common and popularly worn traditional dresses is Batik, usually seen on men at weddings, important meetings or any other ceremonies or events.

Here is a list of the traditional dress of Indonesia:

1. Batik and Sarong:

The Batik cloth is essentially a fabric with intricately designed patterns that are created using traditional techniques. These techniques vary from region to region, yielding unique patterns and materials. For decades, it has been worn by wrapping it around the waist. The cloth, however, has acquired a modern appearance and is now also being sewn into shirts, dresses, skirts and even bags. In fact, it has been classified as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

Batik, when worn in the traditional way, is typically paired with a sarong which is another famously worn traditional dress of Indonesia; a garment of honor and decency for the natives. A distinguishing feature of the Indonesian sarongs is the peculiarity of the material they are made of, namely, songket, woven and tapis. Each of these materials originates from different regions within Indonesia itself.

2. Kebaya:

The kebayais traditionally worn by the Sudanese, Javanese and Balinese women. It is typically a long sleeve blouse that is made up of silk, cotton and semi-transparent brocade/ nylon. There even is a traditional hairdo made with the classic pairing of a kebaya and a sarong, where the hair is tied up in a bun and gold or even silver headdresses are worn to brighten up the outfit even more.

A kebaya is worn even on formal occasions and weddings, by women, just as men wear a peciduring such events and ceremonies. It can often be spotted on First lady's and wives of diplomats, when making public appearances. Through all their diversity, the Indonesian women come together to wear kebaya on the 21st of April every year to honour the memory of Kartini, an idol for the Indonesian women, for her fight for women's rights and freedom.

3. Peci:

The peci, also known as kopiahor songkokis, is an essential part of a formal outfit, worn by men across all Indonesian islands. It is an important attribute even to the President's and government officials' attires. A peci, is a velvet, black cap that resembles the Turkish Fezand is more popularly worn by Muslim men in Indonesia. Fun fact- this velvet cap has been worn by numerous demonstrators and activists, during the 20thcentury, to showcase their nationalistic sentiments and solidarity. A few of those activists include Agus Salim, Muhammad Hatta and even Sukamo, who later went on to become the President.

4. Kemben:

A commonly worn torso wrap, a kemben, was traditionally worn by women by wrapping an average sized cloth on their torso, folding the edges and securing it with a soft rope. They ultimately covered it with an angkin. Nowadays, kembens are secured using zips, straps of buttons and are very popular amongst the Javanese women, who traditionally wore two kembens; one for to cover their upper body and another wrapped around their waist like a skirt. Moreover, considering the Indonesian weather, which is mostly hot and humid, kemben is a really comfortable piece of clothing.

Fun fact- Before kebaya gained popularity amongst the Javanese women, a kemben used to be their go-to!

5. Baju Kurung:

A baju kurung, is an enclosed dress, popularized by Sultan Abu Bakar during the 19thcentury. Its usage grew tremendously, especially in Malaysia, during the 1970's and 1980's and it is now considered to be the Malaysian National Dress. In Indonesia, it is commonly worn in the Sumatra islands. Traditionally, it was a baggier and lengthier dress than what it is today.

6. Blangkon:

Popularly referred to as, belangkon,it is a traditional headdress for males, commonly seen on Javanese men. It is usually prepared using the Batik cloth and has four types- Kedu, Banyumasan, Surakarta and Ngayogyakarta. These four categories are mostly distinguished by their shape and origin. There are numerous stories about the source of blangkon. One of these theories suggests that it originated from Aji Saka, who defeated the colossal who owned the Java island.

Another theory suggests that it originated from the Javanese, who had adopted the Islamic and Hindu cultures, thereby resultantly absorbing the blangkon trend as well. The belangkon is also said to be derived from the turbans, worn by the Indian Gujrati traders, who were amongst the first few Muslims to visit the island for commercial purposes.

For Indonesia, it is nearly impossible to single out one dress as 'The Traditional Dress of Indonesia', for the simple reason that the vast cultural and ethnic diversity would not permit such a narrowing term. Throughout the 34 provinces of Indonesia, there is a separate traditional attire that, even within the province, is worn with a few variations. The primary reason for such diversity lies in the various legends, symbols and beliefs that are peculiar to the region. Some even reflect a heavy influence of other cultures, for instance, Jakarta's traditional dress is greatly influenced by the Arabic, Chinese and Malaysian cultures.

On the other hand, the Balinese attire, with its extravagant details and ornaments, reminds one of the impact of Hinduism on the Balinese culture.

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Traditional Dress of Indonesia That Showcase the Nation's Elegance!

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With over 70,000 islands and a culture influenced by a multitude of religions, such as, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism, Indonesia is a land of rich cultural diversity. It is this diversity that manifests itself in customs, traditions and a varied heritage, be it art, dance, handicrafts and even clothing.