The Sacred Dance of Bedhaya Ketawang

Once a year at the Kings Palace of Solo performed a sacred ritual dance Bedhaya Ketawang to commemorate ascension of the sultan (Susuhunan). This dance is performed by nine female dancers who depict love of the the southern sea queen Nyi Roro Kidul to either Sultan Agung or his grandfather, Senopati.

Dance performances conducted in pendhapa, an open hall with pillars in the front of Susuhunan which sat at the throne. The dance accompanied by a chorus of women and men (sindhenan lampah sekar). Musical accompaniment is not a complete gamelan orchestra but only few instruments: kethuk, kenong, gongs and kendang only.

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Green Architecture of Kampung Naga

It turns out that Indonesia already have a green architecture concept since hundreds of years ago. And this work of local genius is still preserved by traditional means: through all sorts of restrictions / taboos / pamali.

In Kampung Naga which is located between the highway Tasik and Garut, Western Jawa, Kecamatan Salawu Neglasari, engineers with no degree that lived hundreds of years ago had lived with nature and try to defend its wisdom with all means. In the lush and humid river valley, where water is abundant with high rainfall that is continuesly preserved, one particular way is through environmentally friendly architecture and various taboos.

It is said that the origins of the name of Kampung Naga from the term 'diNA GAwir village' or 'village on the cliff', which eventually became the village of Naga alone ..

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The Temple of King Boko

About 3 kilometers south of Prambanan temple situated the area of Boko Temple in Sleman, Yogyakarta. By paying the ticket Rp 15,000 and additional Rp 7500 if you bring camera, we can start explore this 19 hectares park.

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How To Wear Sundanese Iket

Iket or fabric head coverings is part of the everyday men clothes on the island of Java, until around the beginning of the year 1900 ( click here for Javanese Old Postcards). The use of iket become imperative because it is believed to protect them from evil spirits, in addition to practical functions such as containers / wrappers, blankets, pads to carry the load on the head etc..

Iket is made of batik cloth in rectangle shape that is folded in such a way as to be typical models. There are differences iket model for West Java and Central Java. In this article we try to make the Sundanese iket styles. Iket models are given names like barangbang semplak, parekos, or porteng (source from here )

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Wayang Golek, the Western Jawa Puppets

In the western part of Java there is a unique traditional art form of puppet show called wayang golek. Wayang show has been defined by UNESCO on November 7, 2003, as the legacy of very valuable culture and amazing work in the field of narrative story (Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity).

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