The Arts and Humanities of Indonesian

Support for the Arts. In the past in Java and Bali, royal courts or rich persons were major patrons of the arts. They continue their support, but other institutions joined them. The Dutch founded the Batavia Society for the Arts and Sciences in 1778, which established the National Museum that continues to display artifacts of the national culture. The Dutch-founded National Archive seeks to preserve the literary heritage, despite poor funding and the hazards of tropical weather and insects. Over the past several decades, regional cultural museums were built using national and provincial government funding and some foreign aid. Preservation of art and craft traditions and objects, such as house architecture, batik and tie-dye weaving, wood carving, silver and gold working, statuary, puppets, and basketry, are under threat from the international arts and crafts market, local demands for cash, and changing indigenous values.

A college for art teachers, founded in 1947, was incorporated in 1951 into the Technological Institute of Bandung; an Academy of Fine Arts was established in Yogyakarta in 1950; and the Jakarta Institute of Art Education was begun in 1968. Academies have since been founded elsewhere; the arts are part of various universities and teacher training institutes; and private schools for music and dance have been founded. Private galleries for painters and batik designers are legion in Yogyakarta and Jakarta. Academies and institutes maintain traditional arts as well as develop newer forms of theater, music, and dance.

Literature. Indonesia's literary legacy includes centuries-old palm, bamboo, and other fiber manuscripts from several literate peoples, such as the Malay, Javanese, Balinese, Buginese, Rejang, and Batak. The fourteenth century Nagarakrtagama is a lengthy poem praising King Hayam Wuruk and describing the life and social structure of his kingdom, Majapahit. The I La Galigo of the Bugis, which traces the adventures of their culture hero, Sawerigading, is one of the world's longest epic poems.

In colonial times some literature was published in regional languages, the most being in Javanese, but this was stopped after Indonesian independence. The earliest official publishing house for Indonesian literature is Balai Pustaka, founded in Batavia in 1917. National culture was expressed and, in some ways formed, through spoken Malay-Indonesian (understood by many people) and newspapers, pamphlets, poetry, novels, and short stories for those who could read. By the time of independence, literary production was not great, but it has grown considerably since the 1950s. The literary tradition is now rich, but one should note that reading for pleasure or enlightenment is not yet part of the culture of average urban Indonesians and plays little if any part in the life of village people. Indonesia has made literacy and widespread elementary education a major effort of the nation, but in many rural parts of the country functional literacy is limited. For students to own many books is not common; universities are still oriented toward lecture notes rather than student reading; and libraries are poorly stocked.

In the conflict between left-and right-wing politics of the 1950s and early 1960s, organizations of authors were drawn into the fray. In the anticommunist purges of the late 1960s, some writers who had participated in left-wing organizations were imprisoned. The most famous is Pramoedya Ananta Toer, a nationalist who had also been imprisoned by the Dutch from 1947 to 1949. He composed books as stories told to fellow prisoners in exile on the island of Buru from 1965 to 1979. He was released from Buru and settled in Jakarta, but remained under city arrest. Four of his novels, the Buru Quartet , published between 1980 and 1988 in Indonesian, are rich documentaries of life in turn-of-the-century colonial Java. They were banned in Indonesia during the New Order. Pram (as he is commonly known, rhyming with Tom) received a PEN Freedom-to-Write Award in 1988 and a Magsaysay Award in 1995. In English translation, the Buru Quartet received critical acclaim, and after the end of the New Order in 1999, Pram made a tour of the United States. He is the only Indonesian novelist to have received such acclaim overseas.

Graphic Arts. Stone sculptures of the elaborate Hindu variety in Java or the ornate sarcophagi of Sumatra are archaeological remains of value, but only in Bali is elaborate stone carving still done (apart from that which may decorate some upscale Jakarta homes or public buildings). Wood carving is more common. The cottage carving industry of Bali finds a wide domestic and international market for its statues of people, deities, and animals, many of which are finely artistic, some hackneyed. Perhaps the most common carving is in the urban furniture industry, mainly in Java, where ornately carved sofas and chairs are very popular. Traditional puppet or animal carvings of the mountain Batak of Sumatra or the upriver Dayak of Kalimantan are now mainly for tourists, though they once showed rich artistry (now largely seen in museums). The Toraja homes are still elaborately carved, and small examples of these carvings are sold to tourists. Toraja carve decorations on large bamboo tubes used for carrying palm wine or rice, and people in eastern Indonesia decorate small bamboo tubes that carry lime used in betel chewing. Among contemporary urban artists, painting on canvas or making batik is much more common than making sculpture.

Indonesian textiles are becoming more widely known overseas. Batik is the Javanese word for "dot" or "stipple"; ikat, a Malay-Indonesian word for "to tie," is a type of cloth that is tie-dyed before weaving. Batik textiles were made in royal courts and cottages, but also became a major commercial industry in Java and Bali, an industry that has experienced economic vicissitudes over the decades. Batik cloth varies enormously in artistry, elaboration, quality, and cost. Formal occasions require that Javanese, Sundanese and Balinese women wear whole cloths wrapped ornately to form a skirt. Men nowadays do so only at their marriage (or if they are in royal courts or are performers in gamelan, dance, or theater). Long-sleeved batik shirts are now accepted formal social wear for men of all ethnic backgrounds, though formal wear for men also includes civil service uniforms, shirts and ties, or Western suits.

Performance Arts. Performance arts are diverse and include: Javanese and Balinese gong-chime orchestras (gamelan) and shadow plays ( wayang ), Sundanese bamboo orchestras ( angklung ), Muslim orchestral music at family events or Muslim holiday celebrations, trance dances ( reog ) from east Java, the dramatic barong dance or the monkey dances for tourists on Bali, Batak puppet dances, horse puppet dances of south Sumatra, Rotinese singers with lontar leaf mandolins, and the dances for ritual and life-cycle events performed by Indonesia's many outer island ethnic groups. All such arts use indigenously produced costumes and musical instruments, of which the Balinese barong costumes and the metalworking of the gamelan orchestra are the most complex. Best known in Indonesia is the Javanese and Balinese shadow puppet theater based on the Ramayana epic, with its brilliant puppeteers ( dalang ) who may manipulate over a hundred puppets in all-night oral performances accompanied by a gamelan orchestra. Bali is best known for the diversity of its performance arts. Despite the fact that Bali draws visitors from around the world, and its troupes perform overseas, most Balinese performers are villagers for whom art complements farming.

Contemporary (and partly Western-influenced) theater, dance, and music are most lively in Jakarta and Yogyakarta, but less common elsewhere. Jakarta's Taman Ismail Marzuki, a national center for the arts, has four theaters, a dance studio, an exhibition hall, small studios, and residences for administrators. Contemporary theater (and sometimes traditional theater as well) has a history of political activism, carrying messages about political figures and events that might not circulate in public. During the New Order, poets and playwrights had works banned, among them W. S. Rendra whose plays were not allowed in Jakarta. There is a long Javanese tradition of the poet as a "voice on the wind," a critic of authority.

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Indonesian Secular Celebrations

The most important national celebration is Independence Day, 17 August, which is marked by parades and displays in Jakarta and provincial and district capitals. Provincial celebrations may have local cultural or historical flavor. Youth are often prominent. Kartini Day, 21 April, honors Indonesia's first female emancipationist; schools and women's organizations hold activities that day. The military also has its celebrations. New Year's is celebrated 1 January when businesses close and local fairs with fireworks are held in some places. Western-style dances are held in hotels in cities. Public celebration by the Chinese of their New Year was not allowed for decades, but this rule was lifted in 1999 and dragons again danced in the streets. Previously it was celebrated only in homes, though businesses did close and for two days the bustle of Jakarta traffic was stilled. Local celebrations recognize foundings of cities, historical events and personages, or heroes (some national, others regional), while others mark special events, such as bull racing on Madura and palace processions in Yogyakarta or Surakarta. On Bali a lunar calendar New Year's day is celebrated with fasting, prayer, silence, and inactivity. All people (including tourists) must remain indoors and without lights on so that harmful spirits will think Bali is empty and will leave.

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Vulcano in Java Indonesia

Indonesia, especially in java and Sumatra, the forming process of volcano is a result of crust crash of Indian Ocean and crust of Asia continent. The java indonesia volcano or in the south part of Indonesia formed as an encounter or crash of Australian and Eurasian plates. The volcanoes in the north side of java, formed as a result of crash between Pacific and Eurasian plates.

This giant plate keeps moving all the time. Every crash or tow, affect to the volcanic activity along this plate’s line. Often, the tectonic earthquake that resulted from the moving of plates causes volcanic earthquake inside the earth.

It can be simply explained that the friction among high-heated stones, can trigger the escalating of liquid energy inside the earth, in the form of gas, magma, and steam. This escalating energy that now called the volcano activity.

Like we said in Geographical condition of java, Java island is almost entirely of volcanic origin; it contains 33 active volcanoes. There are several active volcanoes in java island. Each of them keeps both sad and amazing story at once.

Mount of Merapi

Merapi volcano which lies in the high of 2968 meters above sea level, is the highest mountain in central java, and including the most active java indonesia volcano in Indonesia. Merapi erupted several times, one of them in 1930 where it destroyed 13 villages and killed 1400 people. Its eruption in 1006, also destroyed ancient Mataram (Javanese ancient kingdom) and buried java island with its ash.

On its eruption in 2010, had caused victims of life and properties, including its keeper, Mbah Maridjan. For details, there were more than 240 people died because of the eruption, and most of them are coming from district of Sleman, and Yogyakarta.

The spread of mount Merapi volcano covers four districts. In the south included in Sleman district,Yogyakarta, and the rest is included in Central java province (Magelang district in the west side, Boyolali district in north and east side, and Klaten district in the south east side.) the forest around the top of the mountain has become Merapi National Park since 2004.

Mount of Merapi which located between central java province and Yogyakarta nowadays tranquil and has such breathtaking scenery. When the weather is bright in Yogyakarta, from the point of royal kingdom, till Malioboro, visitors can see the beauty of the mountain from distance.

Mount of Papandayan

Mount of Papandayan is the most south side of mountains that spread from south of Bandung city, west of Java. This mountain is so popular and famous for its beauty and uniqueness.

Papandayan is one of 18 active volcanoes type A in Indonesia that needs special monitoring. In April 2008, the status of Papandayan had been increased into Cautious due to the escalating activity. The history of Papandayan eruption has been recorded at least four times of eruptions since 1600, that is in 1772, 1923-1925,1942, and in 2002.

For visitor that willing to climb the mount of Papandyan, there are several tracks that can be used. That is track from Pengalengan and Cisurupan, in the district of Garut.

If we want to climb faster, it can be done from Cisurupan, because the asphalt condition is quite good, from lower up to the top. Land transportation can also be use to fasten the climbing, but it will stop at Salada town square. From this point, we obliged to rent a guide for our next trip. Especially for those who never visit Papandayan before.

This place is largely visited by tourist, because the tourists can climb and go back only in a day. If you depart early in the morning from Bandung, you can climb its top at noon, and after enjoying the wonderful view, you can back on the afternoon.

Mount of Slamet

Mount of Slamet, with height 3432 meters above sea level is the second highest mountain in east java after mount of Semeru. It shaped like a cone and has a wide and active caldera. The biggest eruption was in july 1988, which caused flames and lava in 300 high.

Mount of Slamet lies in the border of Purbalingga district, Banjarnegara, Banyumas and Brebes. To reach top of mount Slamet, we can use several routes : from north side via Gambuhan-Jurangmangu, from south via Baturaden-Mount Mlang, and from east via Bobotsari-Bambangan.

The most recommended and safe route is from Bambangan and Jurangmangu. While visitor recommended to avoid route via Baturaden since so many wild grasses and the fields are steep and dangerous.

Mount of Bromo

Mount bromo is one of the most active java indonesia volcano, also in Indonesia. It lies in the east java province. Mount Bromo lies in the height of 2392 meters above sea level, and lies in four different regions, which are Probolinggo, Pasuruan, Lumajang and Malang district, in East Java province.

The exotics and the wonderful natural scenery attract many visitors. One of them is the vast sea sand. The sea sand approximately 10.000 sqm that makes the scenery is very worth seeing. Many domestics and foreign tourists come to visit Bromo for this reason.

Visitors can also visit Bromo early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise. To make it, you have to climb Pananjakan mount, which is the highest mount in his area.

Mount of Semeru

Mount Semeru with heights 3676 meters above sea level is the highest mountain in java island, with its top called Mahameru. Mount Semeru is one of active volcanoes in east java, which lies between Malang and Lumajang district.

Many interesting places in Semeru, such as Ranu pane, Oro-oro ombo, Kalimati, and Mahameru top. There’s one beautiful place called Ranu kumbolo that used for camping area.

Here’s you can see the of the location of all volcanoes above:

Popular terms: geography of central java, central java natural scenery, volcanic activity.

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