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Indonesia is rich in art and
culture, which 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. 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 Bataks of North Sumatera
form popular singing groups to entertain visitors in many
international hotels. There are also various forms of puppet
shows. The "wayang kulit" of Java is performed
with leather puppets held by the puppeteer, who narrates
the story of one of the famous episodes of the Hindu epics,
the Mahabarata 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.
Indonesian crafts as one of
the art products has various styles, patterns and designs,
inherited from ancestors with various cultural backgrounds.
Traditional or spiritual values from many tribes are reflected
in the colors, forms and typical crafts from certain regions
which display various meanings related to the ethnic or particular
region of origin.
Woven cloth is found all over
the country, with different motifs, patterns and colors according
to their respective region. The noted songket and ikat weaving
are made in Sumbawa, Flores, Kalimantan, South Sumatra, West
Sumatra, Bali and East Timor.
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 centers 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.
Paintings are numerous all over
the country, both traditional and contemporary, woodcarvings
for ornamentation and furniture, silver-work and engraving
form Yogyakarta and Sumatra, filigree from South Sulawesi
and Bali.
Meanwhile, basketry's are found
in virtually all parts of the country, and many places in
Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi are well known for their
rattan baskets.
East Nusa Tenggara and Bali
are famous for their plaiting of Lontar leaves, while Java
is widely known for plait work of bamboo and pandanus leaves,
in
the form of baskets, bags, hats, mats, wallets and household articles.
Earthenware and ceramics have
been developed more and more artistically throughout the
archipelago Silverware is found in Kota Cede, Yogyakarta
and Bali, while Sumatra and Sulawesi are famous for their
filigree silver work.
Museum
Museum is places to exhibit
historical heritage or other feature that related to culture
and history. The museum is also available for research activities.
The assigned staff conducts guiding to the university students
conducting research. Students who wish to conduct a research
in the museum are required to write a letter first to the
museum director. As part of its efforts to disseminate information
on the collections, the museum publishes journals, books,
catalogues, brochures and folders.
The museum, in cooperation with
other parties, publishes books for sale. The books that have
been published include Treasures of the National Museum,
Arts of Indonesia, Museum Nasional and The International
Symposium: The Role of Museum in Society. Released publications
are as shown on the left. For more information on how to
obtain these publications, please contact the museum information
desk at +6221 386-8172. Most of these publications are available
at bookstores in and outside Indonesia.
Cultural Heritage
Cultural Heritage is heritage
that related to element of cultural. For example in Bali
the cultural heritage is Besakih Temple in Karang Asem regency,
Bali, has been proposed as a member of the World Cultural
Heritage List. The temple constitutes a powerful religious
icon that unifies thousands of Hindu followers from different
castes throughout Bali and beyond. Besakih, often referred
to as the "mother temple", consists of five temple
compounds around the main temple. These represent the five
holy directions, and there are also tens clan temples which
are used for ancestor worship on different day. To date,
Indonesia has three national cultural conservation structures
that have been included on the "World heritage List",
namely Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple and Sangiran Archeological
Site. Besakih Temple will be the fourth.
Monument
Monument is a part of the historical
building, which described human life. The many monuments,
large and small which are found throughout this country offer
together virtually the whole spectrum of Indonesian life,
thought and history, beginning from the time of the earliest
inhabitation and even before, up to the present.
The best known, and also the
most pride monument is nasional/MONAS in Jakarta. Monument
in Indonesia generally made in order to commemorate the struggle
of Indonesian people in independence war around 1945 and
monumental situation such proclamation monument, lubang buaya
monument etc.
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