Sumba Island, between Bali and Australia, was once renowned for its vicious clan warfare, slave raids and headhunting. These days, that violent history has given way to pasola, a series of mock battles to welcome the harvest. The event is…
Bawomataluo, Nias traditional house
Bawömataluo is the largest and best preserved traditional villages on Nias Island. It is sometimes referred to as the Kings Village. Rather than a king, there was a very powerful tribal chieftain who ruled the surrounding villages from here. Bawomataluo Village…
Traditional Indonesian Wedding from Padang, West Sumatera
A Minangkabau marriage involves the distinct cultural practices and customs of the Minangkabau people, indigenous to West Sumatra, Indonesia. Minangkabau weddings are an important part of the culture of the people of the Minangkabau Highlands, and numerous costumes, houses and…
Traditional Village of Compang Ruteng, Flores
A compang is a stone altar usually found in the yards of traditional homes of the Manggarai community. The Compang is the center of traditional ceremonies, among which is the penti, a ceremony to thank God for a bountiful harvest. …
Kuda Lumping, Javanese traditional dance
Kuda Lumping (Javanese: Jaran Kepang or Jathilan, Malay) is a traditional Javanese dance depicting a group of horsemen. Dancers “ride” horses made from woven bamboo and decorated with colorful paints and cloth. Generally, the dance portrays troops riding horses, but another type of Kuda Lumping performance also incorporates trances and…
Taman Ayun Temple, Bali
Taman Ayun Temple, also known as the Royal Temple of Mengwi, is one of the most important religious structures in Bali. Built in 1634 by a king of the Mengwi dynasty, the impressive complex stands on an island in a…
Bau Nyale Festival, Lombok
On Lombok’s Kuta beach, the locals celebrate an age-old legend by harvesting marine worms that are believed to be the magical manifestation of a princess’ locks. It is a cultural tradition, deeply rooted in local legend and drama, and unique…
Kampung Naga, a traditional village in West Java
It is always fascinating to find a community adhering to its own strict customs and traditions in the midst of a bigger community whose civilization is moving in leaps and bounds — albeit in a very uneven manner — into…
Bayan Village, Lombok
It is only natural that in a highly popular tourist destination, surrounding areas receive economic advantages. If not from accommodation, these areas can also benefit from the food and beverage sector. However, the effects on Bayan village – a gateway…
Becaks, the traditional transportation in Indonesia
The becak is the Indonesian incarnation of the ubiquitous pedicab, or cycle-rickshaw, found everywhere from. But it is Indonesia, and especially Java, that is the true heartland of the pedicab. The becak is as much a motif and symbol of…