Indonesia Public Holidays 2025

This page contains a national calendar of all 2025 public holidays. These dates may be modified as official changes are announced, so please check back regularly for updates.

The dates in this table are an estimate. We will update this page once the official public holiday dates for 2025 are released.

Cross Culture and Religion in Indonesia

Indonesia is a wide archipelago comprising more than 17,500 islands - covers around 270 million people of population that makes Indonesia the fourth most populous country in the world. These numbers lead to the diversity of significant cultural, ethnic, religious and linguistic within its boundaries. It also stipulates that the state shall be based upon the belief in "the one and only God" (a condition which also forms the first principle of the Pancasila, the Indonesian state philosophy introduced by Soekarno in 1945). Nevertheless, atheism is not an option and constitutes a socially unacceptable ideology in Indonesia.

Indonesia is a secular democratic country that has a Muslim-majority population. The Indonesian constitution guarantees all people in Indonesia the freedom of worship, each according to his or her own religion or belief. Yet, there is no single dominant identity for other religions, varying from the daily Hindu rituals practiced in Bali to the Islamic law in Aceh (Sumatra) or the semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles of the Mentawai people.

In this diversity matters, tolerance is something between them as the reflection of cross-cultural communication among religions and culture in Indonesia. Tolerance still holds to own identity while appreciates others'. In different religion and culture, Indonesians live together by treating other with good deeds. For them, other identities are not better or worse, only different.  They believe by accepting the differences, they will see wider perspectives from other human beings, minimize cultural and religious bias, fill in missing contextual information, and take responsibilities of own identities. Besides, religions are not shaped to be dominant but to appreciate other culture too. In this nation, culture in religions walk together within everyday life to shape harmony, togetherness, and also stability among people in Indonesian society. These all actions resemble the national framework which is laid upon them, Bhinekka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) , as a national Indonesian’s motto,  there is a true sense of unity (Indonesianness) among the people of Indonesia.

Pluralities in multicultural frames are inevitable in this nation that make it an incredible destination for travellers. By respecting local customs and traditions, you can create meaningful connections with the people and the land while ensuring a memorable and respectful journey. It is essential to know of customs and tradition as the awareness of visiting Indonesia. Here are some tips and information about respecting local culture and religion, also some local laws during your stay in Indonesia:

1. Respecting Local Culture and Religion:

• Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, and religious customs are deeply respected. Dress modestly when visiting temples, mosques, or rural areas. Wearing revealing clothing is often considered disrespectful.
• Remove your shoes before entering someone’s home or a sacred temple.
• When giving or receiving something, use your right hand or both hands. The left hand is considered impolite.
• Learn a few basic Indonesian phrases and greetings. Locals appreciate the effort to communicate in their language.
• Respect the environment and wildlife. Indonesia is home to unique ecosystems and some sacred places.
• Avoid public displays of affection, as they are considered disrespectful culturally and religiously in many parts of Indonesia. It’s considered a private matter and should be kept that way.

• Look after your safety. While Indonesia is generally safe for tourists, be cautious of scams and shopliftings, especially in crowded areas.
• Don’t touch religious objects or enter places of worship without permission.

2. The Local Laws

When visiting Indonesia, it is customary to pay close attention to the local laws. Travellers who plan to visit Indonesia must follow these local laws & customs to avoid any trouble or mishaps to respect and comply with. Some of local law you need to know:

1. Drugs: Indonesia has Capital Punishments for Possession and Trafficking of illegal drugs like in many other countries. The death penalty may be imposed.
2. Drinking and gambling: As a country with Muslims as the majority, alcohol drinking is prohibited by the laws of the religion and frowned upon. However, since Indonesia is a country with diverse cultures and religions, currently there are no alcohol bans being enforced in Indonesia, with the exception of Aceh. Drinking is also prohibited in most public places. Beside that, gambling is prohibited in Indonesia and considered completely illegal for both locals and foreigners. There are no proper casinos in the country.
3. Overstaying : for overstaying within the 60 days period, you will have to pay fine. The worst situation you may be deported, banned, or imprisoned.
4. Driving : Foreigners can drive using an international driving permit that has been issued in Indonesia or a driver's license from the individual’s home country.

CULTURE OF INDONESIA

How to Act Indonesian?

Indonesian cultures are very different from Western cultures as there exists a difference in experience, belief-systems, hierarchies, religion, notions of time, spatial relations, and much more. Moreover within Indonesian itself there exists a multitude of different cultures. This makes Indonesia a complex country, and therefore an interesting country. In this section we teach you some do's and don'ts for successful and efficient participation (socializing) in Indonesian society.

Culture Columns

In this series of columns we try to unfold something related to Indonesia's cultures, histories, politics and economy, moving a bit away from the mainstream topics and columns in our other sections. These columns are useful to those who take an interest in a wide variety of disciplines with regard to Indonesia. Each column can be regarded a starting point for readers to explore a specific topic.

Politics

The Politics section contains a detailed overview of Indonesia's political history stretching from the pre-colonial period when Indonesia can be labelled a fragmented patchwork of indigenous states, to the long colonial period when the archipelago gradually transformed into a political unity, the independent Soekarno government in which politics dominated while economic policy took a backseat, the prolonged rule of Suharto's New Order which was characterized by a strong central government but weak civil society, and lastly the current era of Reformation.

Economics

The emergence of Indonesia's integrated national economy was not a quick, natural process but rather a long and artificial one, shaped largely by pressures from foreign oppressors and then culminated in the centralized state of Suharto's New Order regime. This section covers the present state and structure of Indonesia's economy and discusses a number of important chapters in its economic history (such as the Asian Financial Crisis in the late 1990s).

Religions

Religion plays an important role within Indonesian society and in the daily lives of the people. Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population in the world but it also contains millions of people that adhere to other main world religions as well as more traditional animist belief systems. This section gives a description of the main religions in Indonesia, to wit Islam, Christianity (incl. Catholicism), Hinduism and Buddhism. It gives a historic framework and describes the current role of religion in the country.

Population

The demographic composition and economic performance of any given country usually have a causal relationship as a young population would generally imply a potentially large workforce while a large mid-aged population (in their 40s and early 50s) would generally imply a potentially large consumer force. In this section attention is drawn to Indonesia's demographic composition, together with an analysis of its impact on the country's economic performance as well as its future prospects.

Religion in Indonesia

Indonesia is a secular democratic country that has a Muslim-majority population. The Indonesian constitution guarantees all people in Indonesia the freedom of worship, each according to his or her own religion or belief. It also stipulates that the state shall be based upon the belief in "the one and only God" (a condition which also forms the first principle of the Pancasila, the Indonesian state philosophy introduced by Soekarno in 1945).

At first sight these two conditions seem to be somewhat contradictory but Soekarno, Indonesia's first president, resolved this issue by hypothesizing that every religion (including 'soft polytheistic' Hinduism) essentially has one highest Supreme Being to which one subjects oneself.

Although Indonesia is not an Islamic state, Islamic principles do influence political decision making. Moreover, certain hardcore Muslim groups have been able to influence political and judicial decision making through (the threat of) violence.

One peculiarity of the Indonesian government's stance on (freedom of) religion is that it recognizes six official religions only (namely Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism). Every Indonesian is required to embrace one of these religions as it is mandatory personal data that is mentioned in official documents such as passports and other identification cards.

Atheism is not an option and constitutes a socially unacceptable ideology in Indonesia (however there is no law that bans atheism). In recent years it has happened that Indonesians who published atheist worldviews on social networks were threatened by their local community and arrested by the police on charges of blasphemy; charges that can lead to imprisonment.

Composition of Indonesia's Six Official Religions

^{Source: Statistics Indonesia (Badan Pusat Statistik), Population Census 2010}

It should be emphasized, however, that the Indonesian followers of above-mentioned religions do not form coherent groups. For example, there are many strict Muslims who focus on the mosque, scripture and ritual and therefore Islam plays an important role in their daily activities and lives. However, there are also many moderate or cultural Muslims in Indonesia who are Muslim according to their identity cards and who identify with the Muslim culture due to their family background but who rarely pray, rarely visit the mosque, and rarely read the Quran. The same distinction can be found in the other religions.

Although not acknowledged by the government there also still exist forms of animism in several parts of Indonesia. Various varieties of animism were already practiced in the region before the arrival of Hinduism (Hinduism arrived in the archipelago through a trade network stretching from China to India in the first century of the Common Era). However, over the course of centuries these animist streams have blended with the mainstream monotheistic religions (and Sufi Islam), resulting in several specific local belief-systems such as Kejawen in Java and Kaharingan in Kalimantan (practiced by Dayaks). In order to comply with the Pancasila (which stipulates "the belief in the one and only God"), animists tend to be classified as Hindus because this religion is more flexible to absorb these streams.

Religions & Violence

Unfortunately, religion has also been the cause of much violence throughout the history of Indonesia. Regarding Indonesia's recent history, one important turning point can be discerned. After the fall of president Suharto's New Order regime (which was marked by a strong central government and a weak civil society) radical Islamic voices and violent (terrorist) acts - previously largely suppressed by the government - found their way to the surface in the form of bomb attacks and other threats.

In the era of Reformation, Indonesian media have reported frequently about attacks by radical Muslims on minority communities such as the Ahmadiyya community (a stream within Islam) or Christians. Moreover, perpetrators or instigators of such violent acts sometimes receive very short prison sentences only. These issues have received international attention as several governments, organizations and media have expressed concern over the ensuring of freedom of religion in Indonesia.

However - as appalling as it may be - such religious violence is the exception rather than the rule and it should be stressed that, by far, the majority of the Indonesian Muslim community is highly supportive of a religious pluralist and peaceful society. For a detailed account regarding violent Islamism in Indonesia visit our Radical Islam section. Lastly, it should be mentioned that religious intolerance or discrimination in Indonesia also takes non-violent forms such as the difficulty of building places of worship that are non-Islamic in areas that are mainly occupied by Muslims (and vise versa). However, any minority in any country will, most likely, have to deal with discriminatory actions, and Indonesia is no exception to this 'rule'.

Islam in Indonesia

By far the majority of the Indonesian population is Muslim. This does, however, not mean that it constitutes a coherent group. As the various regions in Indonesia are marked by separate histories and therefore absorbed different influences, the outcome regarding the Islamic faith has been different as well. Although a process of PAN-Islamization has been continuing for a number of centuries up to the present, Indonesia has not lost its diversity of Islamic varieties.

There are currently more than 207 million Muslims living in Indonesia, mostly Sunni Muslims. Trade played a crucial role in the Islamization process of Indonesia. However, this was not a quick and easy process and was sometimes forced by the power of the sword. The process of Islamization of Indonesia occurred in a series of waves involving international trade, the establishment of various influential Muslim Sultanates, and social movements.

Christianity in Indonesia

One clear example of the lasting impact of European influence and Dutch colonial power on Indonesian society is the presence of around 23 million Christians currently living in Indonesia. Christianity is the second-largest religion in Indonesia, albeit relatively small compared to the Islam. Indonesian Christianity consists of Protestantism and Catholicism, the former being the majority. These Christian communities tend to cluster in the eastern part of Indonesia.

Although there have occurred some violent incidents between Muslims and Christians, most notoriously the 1999-2002 Muslim-Christian conflict in the Moluccas, as well as the forced closure of several churches over the years, worshipers of both religions generally live in social harmony across the country. Apart from the traditional (mainline) church, the charismatic movement (which - like Pentecostals - puts emphasis on the gifts of the Spirit) has a growing following in the bigger cities of Indonesia.

Hinduism in Indonesia

Of all official religions Hinduism has the longest history in the archipelago. However, on most Indonesian islands this chapter in its history has been erased by time or conquest. The only exception being the island of Bali. Until the present day most inhabitants of this island (known as 'island of the Gods') practice Balinese Hinduism. Besides Bali's beautiful countryside and beaches, this Balinese Hinduism is a major reason for tourists to visit the island.

Before Hinduism and Buddhism arrived in the Archipelago, the indigenous population practiced forms of animism. However, when Hinduism arrived in the western part of the archipelago through a trade network that stretched from China to India in the first century of the Common Era, local rulers considered this new religion as a tool that could enhance their power. By representing themselves as Hindu deities, they managed to grow their status.

Buddhism in Indonesia

Only 0.7 percent of the Indonesian population - or 1.7 million individuals - are Buddhists. Indonesia's Buddhist communities are concentrated in Riau, the Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung, North Sumatra, West Kalimantan and Jakarta. The clear majority of Indonesian Buddhists consist of the ethnic Chinese community. In fact there are many Chinese who actually practice Taoism and Chinese folk religion but are classified as Buddhist as the Indonesia government does not recognize these streams.

The history of Buddhism and Hinduism in Indonesia is highly intertwined. In the second century of the Common Era Buddhism spread to Southeast Asia through the same trade networks that had brought Hinduism to the archipelago one century earlier. The early maritime empire of Srivijaya on Sumatra served as a Buddhist learning center for Chinese monks in the seventh century. One century later the impressive Borobudur temple was built by the Sailendra dynasty in Central Java, while in the 15th century the grand Hindu-Buddhist Majapahit empire ruled a large part of the Archipelago. There are various sites on Sumatra and Java where you can find Buddhist remnants from between the 2nd - 15th century. Starting from the 16th century Islam became the dominant religion on Sumatra and Java.

Confucianism in Indonesia

Similar to Buddhism, not everyone will agree that Confucianism is a religion (many prefer to think of it as a belief or philosophy). However, the Indonesian government acknowledges it as one of the six state religions. It is interesting to note that the government's stance on Confucianism has been ambiguous. Under President Soekarno it was one of the state religions. However, it was de-recognized by the Suharto government as the regime tried to restrict expressions that originated from China (including the Chinese language, celebrations, and names) in order to prevent the emergence of clashes between the native Indonesians and ethnic Chinese (although forming less than 3 percent of the Indonesian population, this Chinese minority gained a disproportionately large share in the nation's economy). Those who practiced Confucianism therefore "changed" their religion to Buddhism or Christianity (on their identity cards only). In 2006 the government, again, recognized Confucianism as one of the state's official religions.

Confucianism was brought to the Archipelago (from mainland China), primarily by Chinese merchants and immigrants starting from the 3rd century of the Common Era.

(Source : Indonesia investment)

CUSTOM, IMMIGRATION & VISA, PASSPORT, CARD & CASH

Custom

You must complete an Electronic Customs Declaration (ECD) form and meet other entry requirements to travel to Indonesia.  It is mandatory and is part of entry requirements for entering the country. You can complete the ECD online up to 72 hours before your arrival. Check the link below to find the details:

https://ecd.beacukai.go.id/

Immigrations and E-Visa

The number of Immigration Checking Points (for entrance and exit) consists of 124 immigration counters covering 29 airports, 88 seaports, and 7 border crossings that can be passed both to enter and leave the territory of Indonesia.

Travelers also will be required to have visa to enter the territory of Indonesia. Beside Visa on Arrival, now the government has also launched the Electronic Visa on Arrival (eVOA) to provide an even easier entry process for foreign travelers from 86 countries. The eVOA is available at 16 airports, 91 seaports, as well as 6 cross-border immigration checkpoints across Indonesia. Southeast Asia’s passport holders do not require a visa to enter.

You can visit this link to find out the complete list of the eligible countries and the entrance points across Indonesia where the eVOA is available. 

https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/front/info/evoa

https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/web/services

For international tourists planning a holiday to Bali, it is officially confirmed that from 14 February 2024, a new initiative called Bali Levy or New Bali Tourist Tax has been implemented to support the sustainability of Bali tourism. The Bali Tourist Tax costs IDR 150,000 per person (ca. USD 10 / AUD 15). Click the website below to get more information.

https://lovebali.baliprov.go.id/

Passport

All travelers visiting Indonesia is required to have a valid original passport with at least six months remaining validity from the date of arrival and have a return ticket or connecting ticket to another country. It is recommended that you have a copy of your passport kept aside with you when you are traveling overseas. This will be useful in the event of a lost or stolen passport overseas.

Credit Card / Cash

Most international credit card networks are acceptable in Indonesia’s major cities and tourist hotspots like Jakarta, Bandung, Bali, Surabaya, Medan, Yogyakarta, etc. As all banks are increasing their security measures, it Is advisable to notify your bank before departure that your cc or dc will be used overseas. The most widely accepted card in all merchants in Indonesia is Visa and Mastercard, then Plus, Cirrus, and Maestro network. Be sure to check if the network logo is displayed in the ATM machine prior to inserting your card.

Bring along some enough cash for emergency purposes too. Carrying rupiah in a sufficient amount beforehand, with small notes too, is highly advisable. Especially when traveling to smaller towns and remote areas, it would probably be quite a problem finding ATMs around and local stores could only accept cash. You can also go to money changer at the airports or at tourist areas in Indonesia if you have no time to convert the money into Indonesian currency in your country. The amount of cash allowed into Indonesia or taking it outside the country is in the amount of IDR100,000,000.00 (one hundred million rupiahs) or other currency equivalent to this amount. More than this amount, travelers must declare it to Indonesian Customs.

GENERAL INFORMATION

About Indonesia

Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago with over 17,000 islands. The country stretches 5,100 km along the equator between Australia and Asia and is bordered by the Pacific and Indian Oceans at the Equator. Few countries in the world could match Indonesia’s diversity of population with some 490 different ethnics living together. With a fascinating, colourful and sometimes tumultuous past, Indonesia is a place of rich and diverse culture. Indonesia is "Ultimate in Diversity"

A Historical Glimpse on Indonesia
The first known hominid inhabitant of Indonesia was the so-called “Java Man”, or Homo erectus, who lived here half a million years ago. Some 60,000 years ago, the ancestors of the present-day Papuans move eastward through these islands, eventually reaching New Guinea and Australia some 30-40,000 years ago. Much later, in about the fourth millennium B.C., they were followed by the ancestors of the modern-day Malays, Javanese and other Malayo-Polynesian groups who now make up the bulk of Indonesia’s population.

Trade contracts with India, China and the mainland of Southeast Asia brought outside cultural and religious influences to Indonesia. One of the first Indianized empires, known to us now as Sriwijaya, was located on the coast of Sumatra around the strategic straits of Malacca, serving as the hub of a trading network that reached to many parts of the archipelago more than a thousand years ago.

On neighboring Java, large kingdoms of the interior of the island erected scores of exquisite of religious monuments, such as Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world. The last and most powerful of these early Hindu-Javanese kingdoms, the 14th century Majapahit Empire, once controlled and influenced much of what is now known as Indonesia, maintaining contacts with trading outposts as far away as the west coast of Papua New Guinea.

Indian Muslim traders began spreading Islam in Indonesia in the eighth and ninth centuries. By the time Marco Polo visited North Sumatra at the end of the 13th century, the first Islamic states were already established there. Soon afterwards, rulers on Java’s north coast adopted the new creed and conquered the Hindu-based Majapahit Empire in the Javanese hinterland. The faith gradually spread throughout archipelago, and Indonesia is today the world’s largest Islamic nation.

Indonesia’s abundant spices first brought Portuguese merchants to the key trading port of Malacca in 1511. Prized for their flavor, spices such as cloves, nutmeg and mace were also believed to cure everything from the plague to venereal disease, and were literally worth their weight in gold. The Dutch eventually wrested control of the spice trade from Portuguese, and the tenacious Dutch East India Company (known by initials VOC) established a spice monopoly which lasted well into the 18th century. During the 19th century, the Dutch began sugar and coffee cultivation on Java, which was soon providing three-fourths of the world supply of coffee.

By the turn of the 20th century, nationalist stirring, brought about by nearly three centuries of oppressive colonial rule, began to challenge the Dutch presence in Indonesia. A four-year guerilla war led by nationalists against the Dutch on Java after World War II, along with successful diplomatic maneuverings abroad, helped bring about independence. The Republic of Indonesia, officially proclaimed on August 17th, 1945, gained sovereignty four years later.

During the first two decades of independence, the republic was dominated by the charismatic figure of Sukarno, one of the early nationalists who had been imprisoned by the Dutch. General (ret.) Soeharto eased Sukarno from power in 1967. Indonesia’s economy was sustained throughout the 1970′s, almost exclusively by oil export.

The Asian financial crisis, which broke out in mid-1997, paralyzed the Indonesian economy with the rupiah losing 80% of its value against the US dollar at the peak of the turmoil.

On May 21, 1998, Soeharto resigned after 32 years in power and was replaced by B.J. Habibie following bloody violence and riots. Indonesia held its first democratic election in October 1999, which put Abdurrahman ‘Gus Dur’ Wahid in the role of president. Then vice president Megawati assumed the presidency in July 2001 after incumbent president Wahid was impeached by a special session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), the country’s highest law making body.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, also known by his initials SBY, won over voters in Indonesia’s first democratic elections  in 2004 and reelected  again in 2009. He leads the country with his image as a man of integrity, a strong communicator and firm leader in times of crisis.
Under Suharto, Indonesia  had experienced solid economic growth in tandem with an autocratic political system. Then came the Asian economic crisis which brought a temporary end to high economic growth and perhaps a permanent end to dictatorship. Instead it has moved solidly into the ranks of genuine democracies, defined for the purposes of this essay as nations where the people can and do change their government through peaceful, popular elections. Indonesia has also recovered respectable if not stellar economic growth.

So far, Indonesia has achieved all the democratic stability. Most importantly, Indonesia is socially stable, strongly committed to combating terrorism, militarily calm and is increasingly itself giving voice to democratic values in its own foreign policy, and in its natural leadership of ASEAN policy.

Geological Fact

Indonesia is the largest archipelagic state in the world that has 17,508 islands, situated between 6 degrees northern latitude and 11 degrees southern latitude and spreading from 97 degrees to 141 degrees eastern longitude and it is located between two continents – Asia and Australia/Oceania. This strategic position greatly influences the country’s culture, social, politics and economy.

Stretching along 3,977 miles between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, Indonesia has a total area of 1.9 million square miles including the ocean waters. The five large islands of Indonesia are: Sumatera covering 473.606 square km, Java with 132.107 square km, Kalimantan (the third largest island in the world) with an area of 539.460 square km, Sulawesi with 189.216 square km, and Papua with an area of 421.981 square km.

The islands of Indonesia were formed in the Miocene age (12 million years BC); Palaeocene age (70 million years BC); Eocene age (30 million years BC); Oligacene age (25 million years BC). As people from Asia started to migrate, it is believed that Indonesia existed since the Pleistocene age (4 million years BC). The islands have a great effect on the change of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plate. The Australian plate changes slowly with an upward movement into the small plates of the Pacific plate that moves southward. Between these lines, the islands of Indonesia are stretched out.

This makes Indonesia as one of the most changing geological area in the world. There are 400 volcanic mountains – which 100 of them are active- that dot the islands of Indonesia.  Every day Indonesia experiences three vibrations, at least one earthquake a day and one volcanic eruption in a year.

Demography

The population of Indonesia can be divided into two major groups: in the western region most of the people are from the Malay ethnicity while in the eastern region there are the Papuans originating from the Melanesian Islands. Indonesia also recognizes specific ethnic groups that come from a certain province/area and have specific language for example the Javanese from Central or East Java, the Sundanese from West Java or the Batak ethnicity from North Sumatra.

In addition, there are also minority ethnicities derived from Chinese, Indian and Arabic descendents. These people travelled as merchants through trade exchange since the 8th century BC and migrated to Indonesia. Approximately 3% of the population is from Chinese ethnicity, although the exact percentage is not known as the last ethnicity census was held in the 1930s.

Islam is the major religion of 85.2% of the population, designating Indonesia as the largest Moslem country in the world. The remaining population consists of Protestants (8.9%); Catholics (3%); Hindus (1.8%); Buddhists (0.8%) and other religion (0.3%).

Many Indonesians speak their ethnic language as their mother tongue. However, the Indonesian language is the official language and it is taught at all schools and most Indonesians are proficient in using the language for communication.

Indonesian Culture; Arts and Traditions

Indonesia is culturally rich. Indonesian  art and culture are intertwined with religion and age-old traditions from the time of early migrants with Western thoughts brought by Portuguese traders and Dutch colonists. The basic principles which guide life include the concepts of mutual assistance or “gotong royong” and consultations or “musyawarah” to arrive at a consensus or “mufakat” Derived from rural life, this system is still very much in use in community life throughout the country.

Though the legal system is based on the old Dutch penal code, social life as well as the rites of passage are founded on customary or “adat” law which differs from area to area. “Adat” law has a binding impact on Indonesian life and it may be concluded that this law has been instrumental in maintaining equal rights for women in the community. Religious influences on the community are variously evident from island to island.

Intertwined with religion and age-old traditions from the time of early migrants the art and culture of Indonesia is rich in itself with Western thoughts brought by Portuguese traders and Dutch colonists. The art and culture of Indonesia has been shaped around its hundreds of ethnic groups, each with cultural differences that have shifted over the centuries. Modern-day Indonesian culture is a fusion of cultural aspects from Arabic, Chinese, Malay and European sources. Indonesian art and culture has also been influenced from the ancient trading routes between the Far East and the Middle East leading to many cultural practices being strongly influenced by a multitude of religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Islam.

Language

The official language of Indonesia is ‘Indonesian’ or ‘Bahasa Indonesia’. It’s universally taught in schools and is spoken by nearly every Indonesian in business, politics, national media, education and academia. The Indonesians also speak several hundreds of local languages like ‘bahasa daerah’ as their first language. Javanese is also widely used besides other Papuan or Austronesian languages in a region of just 2.7 million people.
Religion: The government of Indonesia officially recognizes only six religions, viz Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Protestantism, Catholicism, and Confucianism. The largest religious group in Indonesia is Islam with almost 86% of Indonesians being Muslims. Indonesia is also the most populous Muslim-majority nation in the world.

Literature

Indonesia has created many internationally famous celebrated authors. There has also been a long tradition, particularly among ethnically Malay populations, of impromptu, interactive, verbal composition of poetry referred to as the ‘pantun’. Pramoedya Ananta Toer, a well-known author won the Magsaysay Award and was considered for the Nobel Prize in Literature. Chairil Anwar was also an important figure in the literature world and a member of the Generation 45 group of authors who were active in the Indonesian independence movement.

Music

Home to hundreds of forms of music, it plays an important role in Indonesia’s art and culture. Traces of its origin can be made to the islands of Java, Sumatra and Bali. ‘Gamelan’ is the traditional music from Central- and East Java and Bali. Another very popular style of music is ‘Dangdut’ which is accompanied with free dance style. This style first came up in the 1970s and is quite useful in political campaigns. Other forms of music include the Keroncong with its roots in Portugal, the soft Sasando music from West Timor and Degung and Angklung from West Java, which is played with bamboo instruments.

Dance
The traditional dances depict episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata from India. Traditional Javanese and Balinese tinge is also seen in the dance forms of Indonesian art and culture. The highly stylized dances of the courts of Yogyakarta and Surakarta are some of the popular variations. Mythological events of Indonesia are also depicted.
 
Drama and Theatre
The Javanese and Balinese shadow puppet theatre shows ‘wayang kulit’ displaying several mythological events. A traditional folk theatre, Randai of the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, is performed during ceremonies and festivals. Music, singing, dance, drama and the silat martial art are all incorporated together and are based on the stories of the legend.

Architecture
Indonesian culture, especially its architecture has been to a great extent dominated and influenced by the Indian, although European influences have also been particularly strong since the nineteenth century. Traditional buildings in Indonesia are built on stilts with oversized saddle roofs which have been the home of the Batak and the Toraja. The Torajan use the buffalo horns, stacked one above another in front of the house as an indication of status. Scenes from the Ramayana adorn the outer walls in different colors. However, Chinese, Arab, and European architectural influences have also been quite significant in Indonesian architecture.

Cuisine
The cultural diversity of Indonesia is reflected in its food. Rice (nasi) and noodles (mie) are the basic part of the Indonesian diet, but that’s where the similarities end. Depending on the region, different herbs, spices, grasses, roots, and leaves create very different tastes. Hot chili, cumin, coriander, lemon grass, nutmeg, black pepper, garlic, coconut milk, soy sauce, and ginger are all common ingredients.
 
Material Art
The arts of Indonesia are many, especially Indonesian paintings which are unique works of art. The intricate and expressive Balinese paintings are quite famous and often express natural scenes and themes from the traditional dances. A long-standing tradition of sculpture can also be seen in the art and culture of Indonesia, some dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Examples of sculpture illustrating the story of the life of Buddha can be seen in the temples of the 8th and the 10th century. Indonesia’s art and culture is also famous for their unique batik, ikat and songket cloth which is even popular today.

Unlike some countries art forms in Indonesia are not only based on folklore, as many were developed in the courts of former kingdoms such as in Bali, where they are part of religious ceremonies. The famous dance dramas of Java and Bali are derived from Hindu mythology and often feature fragments from the Ramayana and Mahabharata Hindu epics.

Highly stylized in movement and costume, dances and the “wayang” drama are accompanied by a full “gamelan” orchestra comprising xylophones, drums, gongs, and in some cases string instruments and flutes. Bamboo xylophones are used in North Sulawesi and the bamboo “angklung” instruments of West Java are well- known for their unique tinkling notes which can be adapted to any melody.

The “Wayang kulit” (leather puppets) of Java is performed with leather puppets held by the puppeteer, who narates the story of one of the famous episodes of the Hindu epics, the Mahabharata or the Ramayana. It is performed against a white screen while a lantern in the background casts the shadows of the characters on the screen, visible from the other side where the spectators are seated.

The “Wayang Golek” (wooden puppets) of West Java is based on the same concept. The crafts of Indonesia vary in both medium and art form. As a whole the people are artistic by nature and express themselves on canvas, wood, metals, clay and stone. The batik process of waxing and dyeing originated in Java centuries ago and classic designs have been modified with modern trends in both pattern and technology. There are several centres of Batik in Java, the major ones being Yogyakarta, Surakarta, Pekalongan and Cirebon.

Batik is also being produced in some other areas as in Bali where local designs are incorporated. Other provinces produce hand-woven cloths of gold and silver threads, silks or cottons with intricate designs. Painting are numerous all over the country, both traditional and contemporary, woodcarvings for ornamentation and furniture, silverwork and engraving form Yogyakarta and Sumatra, filgree from South Sulawesi and Bali with different styles of clay, sandstone and wood sculptures. These are but a few of the handicrafts found in Indonesia.
 
Provinces
Indonesia has 38 provinces (including 2 Special Territories of  Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and Yogyakarta) and one Special Capital Region of Jakarta (DKI). East Timor was once part of Indonesia, but then through a referendum in 1999, East Timor became the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste.

10 MOST ATTRACTIONS

 SHAMAN VISIT MENTAWAI ISLANDS (YEAR-ROUND)

Just hours away from the mainland and gateway of Padang, isolated by strong winds and rough seas, sikerei shamans (pictured) in the remote interior of the islands continue to practice old animistic ways. In the Sibulungan religion, fetish poles placed around the open-air, stilt-raised houses keep away evil spirits, while elaborate tattoos and body ornaments help keep soul and body in balance with the world. The shamans are responsible for communicating with spirits, healing and preserving the harmony of the physical and paranormal.

Video Youtube :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M6Txh-maK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zndkaeO8Dk&feature=fvsr
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUXDvU87-M4

DAYAK LONGHOUSE STAY (YEAR-ROUND)

Journey back in time up the sun-dappled Mahakam river into Dayak territory, accompanied by a chorus of birds and insects amid corridors of thick jungle growth. Watch for orangutans and flying lemurs through giant vines, before disembarking at a Dayak longhouse for a meal. Built on stilts high off the ground, these wooden dwellings house many families under one elongated roof. Traditional Dayaks still practice ancient traditions such as body tattoos and heavy ear ornamentation, yet their reputation as friendly hosts is well earned too.

Video Youtube :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opQX6hUImdg

KECAK DANCE BALI (DAILY)

Witness the sunset spectacle of a 100-strong male chorus, bare chested and urging on dancers in the center, in a battle scene from the Ramayana. The dancers, each wearing a checked cloth around his waist, rhythmically chant “cak”, throwing their arms up in unison. There are few more stirring locations than the 11th-century Uluwatu Temple, perched dramatically over sheer, 70-meter high stone cliffs that overlook a dizzying view of the sea and surf.

Video Youtube :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqke2IrdZxQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX1rghsOqu0

RAMAYANA BALLET YOGYAKARTA (DAILY)

The refined, expressive movements of classical Javanese dance come to life in this dramatic, open-air retelling of the Ramayana epic, involving up to 250 dancers and dozens of accompanying musicians. Staged by night in the heart of Central Java, the enactment’s eerie beauty is reinforced by its historic surroundings. Decorated with intricate reliefs of the Ramayana tale, the Prambanan temple complex dates back to the heyday of Hindu power in the 10th century.

VIDEO YOUTUBE :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXKjQuhqO1U&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FQv_l-GnRg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQuDS4wmnPU

FLOATING MARKET BANJARMASIN (DAILY)

Greet the dawn on the waters at the confluence of the Kuin and Barito rivers amid a flotilla of boats and canoes jostling for position. Laden with local produce, merchants travel hours to attend this daily morning event.
The Kuin market is one of the busiest of several floating markets. Vegetables, fruit, shrimps and fish are traded, while local children look on – making for a colorful and aromatic experience.

Video Youtube :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcZ8Y49aZA0

WAYANG KULIT / THE PUPPET SHOW

In this very Indonesian event, the hypnotic gamelan orchestra forms a counterpoint to the sonorous narration of the dalang puppet master, dexterously wielding the flat, intricately carved leather puppets behind a translucent, back-lit screen. The shadows shuffle and leap across the screen agilely, bringing time-honored tales and characters based on the Mahabarata to life. The long and sometimes ribald performances have been described as one of the world’s most subtly sophisticated dramatic forms. Performances can take all night, accompanied by leisurely audience chatter if set outdoors.

Video Youtube :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiXMPm__Lak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1l6WPAwNAY&feature=related

BROMO FESTIVAL EAST JAVA (SEPTEMBER)

At any time of the year, Mt Bromo, majestically rising from its surrounding sea of sand into the clouds, is a worthwhile stop on any Java tour. Even so, the midnight procession of the annual Kasada Festival, a ritual thanksgiving held by local Tenggerese farmers, is a stand-out experience. Preceded by performances at the foot of the hill, thousands of supplicants, carrying fruit, vegetables or animal offerings, climb painstakingly toward the smoking caldera, where they offer prayers to mountain gods before throwing their offerings into the mouth of the volcano.

Video Youtube :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VPMIXX_56w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1l6WPAwNAY&feature=related

SUMBA PASOLA FESTIVAL

The annual Pasola festival is possibly the most violent and adrenaline-packed harvest celebration in Indonesia. Ritual fist fights precede the main festival, which consists of the exhilarating spectacle of hundreds of bareback, colorfully arrayed horsemen charging at one another with wooden spears, all accompanied by whoops and shouts. The blunted weapons are still capable of inflicting damage – so beware.

Video Youtube :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA3MDynBOlI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMQPcRgfkcY&feature=fvwrel

BATAK SHOW LAKE TOBA (YEAR AROUND)

What better place to experience the Batak love of song and dance than its cultural heart on Samosir Island? Surrounded by South-East Asia’s largest lake, the island’s laid-back atmosphere is reflected in loose, upbeat performances of traditional music and dance, held among the traditional pointed-roofed villages and tourist lodgings. These events are relaxed, with visitors invited to join, and more modern songs often intermixed, in keeping with the spontaneous island vibe.

Video Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3R9FZ7VpeE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2STzg8hgiA

MADURA BULL RUN MADURA (SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER)

Dust billows up behind two pairs of competing bulls as they dash toward the finish line, a gladiator balanced precariously between each pair on a stick. Following a two-month trial selection and days of festivities, prize bulls are brushed, massaged, fed up to 50 eggs a day and adorned with beautiful head dresses. The race is then run in a few frenzied moments, at the annual finals in Pamekasan.

Video Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b75mRB9Gbxc

10 MOST FASCINATING

BOROBUDUR TEMPLE

Temple Borobudur is one of the largest Buddhist temple in the world. This temple was built when Samaratungga – king of the dynasty ruled Syailendra in Central Java. This temple is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. Borobudur temple is located in the village of Borobudur, Magelang, Central Java. Borobudur Temple is very large and consists of blocks of large stones with a very grand architecture. Therefore, I place the Borobudur temple in the first row because of the difficulty of manufacture.

KOMODO ISLAND

Komodo Island is located in a strait between the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and Sumbawa in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Komodo Island is the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo monitor lizard (Varanus komodoensis). Komodo dragon is believed to be remains of ancient animals living dinosaur. long Komodo dragon can reach 3 meters with a weight of 140 kg can achieve. On the island of Komodo peariran there are waters that include the magic underwater world. Komodo seabed waters are the best in the world, at sea level menyembulnya dry lands are hilly rock. Komodo island is very appropriate included in the list of wonders in Indonesia.

THREE COLOURS LAKE KELIMUTU

by the lake is called as one of the nine wonders of the world. The lake is located in three colors Kelimutu, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. There were three adjacent lakes but with the colors different. Crater Lake is Tiwu Ata Polo (Red Lake), Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Fai (green lake) and Tiwu Ata Mbupu (blue lake). Lake Flores is the only lake in the world in which the water may change at any time, from red to dark green and maroon, dark green to light green, dark brown to blue sky. This natural phenomenon is a miracle.

MINING PEAK & CARTENZ

which also listed as one of the top seven continents (Seven Summit) which is phenomenal and a coveted mountain climbers in the world. Mining Peak National Park is located in Laurentz, Papua. This summit covered with perpetual snow. Eternal snow on the peak IDR is one of the three fields of snow in the tropics are in the world. In our country through this equator, watch the snow in Indonesia certainly something that is impossible to be understood. Carstenz Pyramid (4884 mdpl) is one of those snowy peaks. The highest peak in Southeast Asia and the Pacific is located in the Sudirman Mountains series. Peak is famous not only because of the high, but also because there is a layer of snow on top.

PRAMBANAN TEMPLE

Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple in Southeast Asia. Prambanan temple is located on the border of Central Java and Yogyakarta. This temple was built in about the year 850 AD. The architecture is very grand and there are temples, both large and small in this temple complex. There is also a legend that the temples are only made in one night by supernatural power as a condition of Bandung Bondowoso gain Jonggrang East. But not because of the legend of Prambanan included in this list but due to the stunning architectural magnificence of the world.

 THE ISLAND OF BALI

Island is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. The island of Bali is the island’s best tourist attractions in the world. Tourism objects such as the island of Bali Kintamani, Kuta Beach, Lake Batur, Goa Gajah, Tampak Siring, Bedugul, Tanah Lot and so on. The island is included in this list because a lot of amazing places with the architecture and the natural beauty of this island which has also been acknowledged the world.

BROMO MOUNT EAST JAVA

Bromo is one of the five mountain mountain complex located in the Tengger Mountains in the ocean sand. The appeal of this mountain is a mountain that is still active. Sightseeing Mount Bromo is a natural phenomenon with the specificity of natural phenomena that are not found elsewhere is a crater in the middle of the crater (creater in the creater) with a stretch of sand surrounding sea.

TORAJA HIGHLAND

South Sulawesi Toraja lies. Tanah Toraja is very unique, especially in terms of burial. The corpses were not buried, but placed in the caves in the rock. The corpses are accompanied by statues representing the deceased person. Here there are graves in the rock. One form of grave is the grave stone that is made at the top of the cliff at the height of the rock. According to animism Dolo Aluk among the Tana Toraja, the higher the place he put the corpse faster to meet the Lord in spirit or heaven.

KRAKATAU

Eruption of Mount Krakatau never shake the earth. This volcano has erupted on August 26, 1883. The erupted very powerful and also caused a tsunami that killed about 36,000 people. Krakatau eruption voice to be heard in Alice Springs, Australia and the island of Rodrigues near Africa. Mount Krakatau in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra islands. Even the dust is said to outer space. Although Krakatau was not as dangerous as it used to be (hopefully) but its history is one of the wonders of nature itself.

LAKE TOBA

Perhaps many do not know that Lake Toba was once a volcano. The lake is located in the former crater in the world’s largest Supervolcano. Mount Toba eruption is estimated at 73 thousand years ago. This eruption was recorded as the largest eruption of fire that affects climate worldwide.