Gayo's Saman Dance - Synchronized Headbanging

North Sumatra, South East Aceh in the Gayo highlands is an area of origin of the unique Saman dance. The dance was originally danced by 10 men, without the accompaniment of musical instruments. The musics produced by the voice of two group leaders (syekh), clappinghands and pat chests. The lyrics are about islamic preach, ethics, epic etc. Syekh tasked also to give command of motion changes. This dance reportedly discovered and developed by Sheikh Saman, a scholar Gayo, although I think this dance seems older than that.

Read more ->

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.

Read more ->

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 ..

# 1

Read more ->

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.

Read more ->

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 )

a b c d

Read more ->

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).

Read more ->

Javanese Bride and Groom

gambar dari mudah menikah

Read more ->

Wayang kulit, the Javanese Shadow puppet

pic from kkseema

Read more ->

BATIK: Indonesian Art of Textile

pic from trulyjogja

Read more ->

Madura's Magic Wand

Tongkat Madura is the secret of the Maduranese women to enhance sexual favors for both couples. This stick is made of herbs and ingredients from Madura island such as seashell powder, manjakani, rapet wood (Parameriae cortex), jati belanda leaves (Guazumae folia) and others. This secret has been spread throughout the world now but it is still surprising that Tongkat Ajimat Madura sold by mbok jamu is made ​​in China!

this Madura’s stick unfortunately made in China

Read more ->

JAMU GENDONG

the jamu lady in this picture still owe me 3 kgs of temugiring and go MIA

Jamu gendong means back carried jamu. This traditional lady vendors sell various jamus such as beras kencur (for fatigue and good appetite), kunir asam (for womans health), cabe puyang (for fatigue and pain), pahitan (for 'sweet blood' or diabetes), kunci suruh (for vagina's health), kudu laos (for better blood flows), and uyup-uyup/gepyokan (for better breast milk flows).
This jamus stored in the glass bottles and served in glass portion. Today they also sell 'modern' jamus in pills and powders and other traditional beauty stuffs such as lulur and ratus. For more information about jamu gendong click here

Read more ->

RICE

Rice (Oryza sativa)is the main food for Javanese and most indonesians (drier eastern indonesia have sagu and sweet potatoes). Lots of rituals and traditions here actually made for rice worshipment, so it is called that we have a rice culture.

Read more ->

Javanese post-natal treatment

Javanese women have their secret for post natal body treatment. 7 days after the delivery they put tapel (tah-pehl), mixture of slaked limestone, lime juice, betel leaf and cajuput oil on their stomach. Afterwards, bengkung (behng-koong), cotton wrap of 15 cm wide and 10 meters long binded tightly around the tummy (below breast to hip area). The binder sits there all day, and take off at the afternoon with hot shower to cleanse. This treatment repeated daily for 40 days.



Pilis (peelees) is a forehead mask for relieve headache and restore vision. Parem (pah-reamp) is a water based lotion made by mixtures of rice, ginger and pepper to warm legs and arms and ease the blood circulation. With all the treatments mom’s body will back to initial shape very soon as it is before pregnancy and have a good overall health. Indonesian jamu manufacturers such Nyonya Meneer, Jamu Iboe and Simona have a complete post natal jamus package for no fuss home treatment.

Read more ->

Tuberose

Tuberose Polianthes tuberosa L (Sedap Malam, or Night Delicious - because the scents spread heavily at night) is native to Central America. The fragrance is strong, mysterious and seductive and Indonesians usually asociated the scents with female spirits/ghosts. It’s very popular in Indonesia as cut flowers or clustered for bride’s accessories and decoration, traditional rituals and ceremonies. Other type of tuberose flowers is edible and added to kimlo soup.

Read more ->

Fresh jamu drinks at Toko You

If you want to try fresh jamu drinks while in Bandung, just go to Toko You, a cafe/diner situated at jalan Hasanuddin, Dago area, just near the Borromeus Hospital.
Beside its cozy ‘warung’ like ambience (warung is a traditional grocery stall) and their butter fried frogs, we can have fresh jamu drinks. At the jamu bar we can order jamu drinks while watching the production process. Theres a lot of fresh tubers and other jamu ingredients inside the big jars on the table.



We can order any jamu drinks including beras kencur (rice and lesser galangan), kunyit asem (turmeric and tamarind), jamu sehat (health tonic) and so on. Just sip the jamu as a refreshment drink, or after meal whatever you like. You can ask it to be hot or cold. They sell jamu in bottles also for take away, no preservatives guaranteed.

Read more ->