Indonesian+Culture

-Indonesia is influenced by many interactions with foreign countries because it used to be along ancient trading routes between the Far East and Middle East. -some of these regions include: Mentawai, Asmat, Dani, Dayak, Toraja as well as others. -Their culture is expressed in a variety of ways including preforming arts such as dance or music, visual asts such as painting sculpture or architecture, and sports and recreation. media type="youtube" key="hNG2PN_q8Qc&rel=1" height="355" width="425"__** [|**http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNG2PN_q8Qc] -Pencak Silat is a traditional martial art form that combines are, music, and sport.
 * __Culture__**
 * __Preforming Arts

media type="youtube" key="x6yOJ0mnlSs&rel=1" height="355" width="425" -There are hundreds of forms of music in Indonesia including the traditional mucis of central and east Java and Bali called the Gamelan, and Sasando music from the province of east Musa Tenggara. -Western-style pop or rock music was bannned after a law was passed in 1965 (Panpres 11/1965). As a result aleading Indonesian pop group was thrown in jail. This law was later rescinded after the resignation of president Sukarno and the anti-western Partai Komunis Indonesia disbanded. -Traditional dances in Indonesia often depict episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabarata. -Also other dances are those of the courts of Yogyakarta and Surakarta, which are often highly stylized. -A folk theatre tradition preformed by Minangkabau, known as Randai, is usually performed for traditional ceremonies and festivals, It incorporates music, singing, dance, drama, and are often based on Minangkabau stories and legends.

__**Visual Arts**__

The most notable sculptures in Indonesia are the hundreds of meters of relief sculpture at the temple of Borobodur in central Java. The scuplture spans a length of about 2 miles and depicts the life story of the Buddha as well as his teachings.

[|**http://www.worldofstock.com/closeups/ASC2524.php**] -Intricate and expressive Balinese paintings are the most famous of Indonesean paintings and are the only painting style Indonesia is really famous for. They are often of natural scenes and themes from traditional dances.

-Other forms of art are paint designs by the indigenous people of Kenyah, often depicting natural motifs.

-Also caligraphy is considered are especially of the Qur'an becuase Islam prohibits naturalistic depictions.

[|**http://www.indo.com/featured_article/balinese_painting.html**]



-India has had the strongest influence over INdonesian architecture but since the 19th century European influences have also been particularly strong.

-Traditional buildings are built on stilts and also some have oversized saddle roofs with large eves that are often bigger then the house itself.

http://www.britannica.com/eb/art-4423/The-administration-building-of-the-Bandung-Institute-of-Technology-Java __**Recreation and Sports** media type="youtube" key="2yaTUjRiFSY&rel=1" height="355" width="425"__
 * http://www.netprosports.com/about_netpro.html**

-Although western culture has influencedparts of Indonesia many traditional games such as: cockfightingin Bali, annual bull races in Madura, and stone jumping in Nias. -Also Pancak Silat is also considered a type of sport. -Sepak Takraw originated in Melaka and is similar to volleyball, you must keep the rattan ball in the air with the players' feet. __**Religion**__

-In their state ideaology their first principle is: "belief in the one and only God". -In the Indonesian Constitution it states: "every person shall be free to choose and to practice the religion of his/her choice" and "guarall persons the freedom of worship, each according to his/her own religion or belief." -In spite of the consitution the government only officially recognizes six religions which are: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism.
 * [[image:Map_Indonesian_religions.jpg width="404" height="290" align="left"]]-**Religion has a big influence on political, cultural, and economical life in Indonesia.

[|**http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Indonesia**] __Based on a 2000 census:__**
 * 86.1% Muslims
 * 5.7% Protestant
 * 3% are Catholic
 * 1.8% Hindu
 * 3.4% Other or Unspecified