Dangdut, Indonesia’s “Music of the People” – an Expat’s Take
In 1969, I bought a second-hand book in the Portobello street market in London, Two Faces in Borneo, written in 1928...
History/Culture
Where and What in the Archipelago Islands of Indonesia
Minutes before landing at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, you will most likely get glimpses of tiny islands with...
How Some Europeans Thrived During the Japanese Occupation
Should President Joko Widodo model any of his “Ten New Balis” tourist attractions on the mountain resort of Sarangan in...
Usmar Ismail, the Father of Modern Indonesian Cinema
Usmar Ismail is known as the father of modern Indonesian cinema. He was born on 20th March 1921 in Bukittinggi,...
Sergeant Pepper Marches East: The Beatles in Indonesia
In October 1962 I was privileged to witness, in the Cavern Club in Liverpool, three working-class scouse lads, (plus one,...
Splashing Out on Culture
Can history be used to coin cash in a country where citizens would rather tramp malls than museums and reckon...
Preserving the Past to Pay for the Present with Lily Jessica Tjokrosetio
It all happened long before Lily Jessica Tjokrosetio was born, so her wishes are fantasies, things she might have done...
Rediscover Betawi at The Dharmawangsa Jakarta
The Dharmawangsa Jakarta is proud to announce “Rediscover Betawi”, a tribute to Jakarta through a month-long epicurean journey and experiences...
The Aztec God Quetzalcoatl: The difference from other Gods
Quetzalcoatl is one of the most important Gods of the Aztec religion. He is often called “the feathered serpent” because...
5 Largest Reclining Buddha Statues in Indonesia
The reclining Buddha statue has become a popular tourist attraction whenever people visit Buddhist places of worship around the world,...
Javanese Dragon Princess Daughter: Love in the Time of Magic
Across the volcanoes and valleys of Java, myths of ancient civilizations like dragon princess daughter whisper through the ages. Tales...
Extremely rare antique aquatint etching of Singapore
Extremely rare antique aquatint etching of Singapore by Raffles titled “View of Singapore Town & Harbour taken from the Government...
Elevating Our Culture
The coming 2021 remains to be a great challenge following Indonesia’s fight against COVID-19 of flattening the curve of new...
How did Indonesia’s Economy Come Around?
Studying the Indonesian economy from a historical perspective is essential. A deep understanding of history is needed to support sustainable...
Prehistoric South Sulawesi Sites in Critical Condition
“Turning around while the Creator said: That is how it descends to earth. The arrangement of the wind is very...
Relive the Spirit of Isen Mulang Done Virtually
Vast, deep jungles and being home to the orangutan and the Dayak tribe are usually illustrated when someone mentions Kalimantan...
President Jokowi: Pancasila Day 2020 is Different
President Joko Widodo has said that the anniversary of Pancasila in 2020 is different from previous years because this year...
Life in a Boma – Tanzania
When you get curious about other cultures, what are the best ways to explore them? Some of us book a...
Nyepi – What the World Could Learn
If you’re a regular visitor to Bali, you’ll know things work a little differently from the rest of Indonesia and...
The Art of Feng Shui
Feng Shui (literally means wind-water or geomancy) is a traditional Chinese art dedicated to furnishing, building, and arranging homes in...
Traditional Balinese Wedding
All around the world, weddings are celebrated grandly and merrily. Marriage is an unforgettable day; it is the moment that...