The Story of Indonesia

The "Turun Mandi" ceremony in Minangkabau

2010-01-20T22:51:00.000-08:00

The ceremony of "Turun Mandi" (which literally means: Going down to bathe) is one tradition that still carried by some of Minangkabau traditional society till now. This is a form of initiation ceremonies of a child, where he introduced into the world outside the home.

In general, according to the customs of traditional communities, the baby child does not come out of his house before he held the "Turun Mandi" ceremony. The word "down" is closely related to forms of Minangkabau traditional house called Rumah Gadang, which is usually elevated. Implementation of the "Turun Mandi" ceremony time is usually determined based on the age of the babies who will be involved in the ceremony. Usually at the age of three months. However, sometimes the execution time of this ceremony is also determined based on the readiness and the agreement of family members.

On the "Turun Mandi" tradition, babies who are involved at, will be bathed by 'bako' (fathers family) of the baby, few strands of the babies hair is cut, then he will be also introduced to the taste of white rice, salt, sugar, and chili. Those things, just posted on his lips, so he could savor the flavor of spices and rice to be eaten later when adult.

Furthermore, for the Minangkabau people, this traditions also interpreted as a ceremony to introduce to a child about the real life, about a world that filled with different tastes and situations. Bitter, sweet, salty, spicy, is a symbol of reality in life that will be met.

There are also many of Minangkabau society member who believe that through "Turun Mandi" ceremony, the reality of life is being implanted into the babies subconscious, so he/she was ready to accept the reality of life and react sensibly early on when he had become an adult human.

"Anak Semua Bangsa" (Child of All Nations)

2009-12-28T20:53:00.000-08:00

"Anak Semua Bangsa" (Child of All Nations) is the title of the second book of the Buru tetralogy thats works by Pramoedya Ananta Toer. In this book, Pramoedya Ananta Toer told about a turning point in the life of Minke. As a continuation of "Bumi Manusia" (The Earth of Mankind), this book starting with stories about the ailing Annelis that trip to Holland. Powerless against her deep grief, and suffering caused by illness, Annelis eventually died. This news of Annelis death received by Minke and Nyai Ontosoroh. Minke in the midst of grief trying to be strong and continue writing.

Minke then acquainted with Kommer, an anti-colonialism journalist who is his friend Jean Marais, satirical Minke who always write in Dutch and English. In fact, Minke's mother desire for Minke tried to write in the Java language, while Minke's else friends wants him to write in Malay. But Minke refused on the grounds that Malay language newspaper only reading by people with low education. According to that, Minke thought that his writings will be more meaningful if it is written in Dutch.

Minke then accompanied Nyai Ontosoroh vacationing in Sidoarjo sugar cane plantations. Here, Minke are faced with two choices, between admiration for the civilization of Europe and opened his eyes to the reality of his own nation. Minke then met with Khouw Ah Soe, an activist movement. Introduction with this youth Chinese, as well as Nyai Ontosoroh advices, began make Minke open his mind about the resurrection of a nation. Minke consciousness and awakened, that he was the son of his people (Malays) and must do something for the human beings around him, his own people.

Minke start making posts with a new perspective, and hope this paper will be able to affect the consciousness of the reader. But apparently the publishers rejected the writings. Minke then continue her schooling to Stovia. On the way to Batavia, Minke met a Dutch author, from whom then Minke increasingly aware that what kind of mafia related to sugar, and realized why his writing was rejected. In his mind and heart, now growing awareness, that what she learned at school, totally different from what is met in reality.

"Bumi Manusia" (The Earth of Mankind)

2009-12-25T20:51:00.000-08:00

Buru tetralogy, written by Pramoedya Ananta Toer, consists of four books that tell the life of a character named Minke. Many reader believe that Minke is the name that Pramoedya Ananta Toer created to replace the name of Raden Mas Adhi Tirto Soerjo, a figur that served for the Indonesian national resurgence, but not recorded in history.

The first book of the Buru tetralogy is "Bumi Manusia" (The Earth of Mankind). In "Bumi Manusia" (The Earth of Mankind), Pramoedya Ananta Toer told about a teenager named Minke who was studying in Surabaya HBS. Viewed from this fact, then Minke actually are natives of the lucky ones, cause not anyone can just attend HBS. HBS average student is the son of Dutch officials or Peranakan (Indo). But because her father had a position in colonial goverment, Minke can HBS school.

Minke falls in love with a girl named Annelis, a dutch descent, beautiful like an angel. Their romance began to cause problems for the life of Minke. Annelis who are descendants of Nyai Ontosoroh and a dutch husband named Robert Mellema. But eventually Minke and Annelis could marry a Muslim. This marriage is not recognized by Government of the Netherlands. And since the struggle of Nyai with the legacy son of Robert Mellema, Annelis forced to part with Minke to be brought to the Netherlands.

Nyai Ontosoroh, Annelis mother, described by Pramoedya Ananta Toer as an indigenous and smart women. Being a mistress of Robert Mellema, she can learn and read books of her husband. Thus, Nyai Ontosoroh become modern-minded and independent women. Minke know Nyai Ontosoroh, through Annelis. Know the Nyai affect the lives and the way of thinking of Minke further. Minke grown as a man with much personally-minded and forward.

Thus a glimpse of the "Bumi Manusia" (The Earth of Mankind), the first book of the Buru tetralogy, works of Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Through a compelling language, Pramoedya describes the atmosphere of Indonesia in the early of 19th century, when this nation (Indonesia) began to recognize themselves, and build awareness about the equal rights of all humans.

Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Indonesian Heroes of Humanity

2009-12-23T04:44:00.000-08:00

Pramoedya Ananta Toer, the man who was born in Blora, Central Java in 1925 is one of Indonesia's controversial writers, as well as difficult to beat. Raised in a modest family, with a father who worked as a teacher and food sellers mother, Pramoedya Ananta Toer grown into one of the most respected writer not only by his friends but also by enemies.

Pramoedya Ananta Toer was educated at the Radio Vocational School in Surabaya and then worked as a typist for the Japanese newspaper in Jakarta during the Japanese occupation in Indonesia. After the proclamation of Indonesian independence, Pramoedya follows a military group in Java.

Throughout his life, Pramoedya Ananta Toer wrote dozens of short stories and novels. In his works, Pram (as he is called) are often cast a criticism to the government. That choice makes him was sentenced to jail as political prisoners many times, both in the colonial period (3 years), Soekarno Regime (1 year), as well as in the Soeharto era (14 years).

As an Indonesian writer, Pramoedya Ananta Toer classified as one of the left authors because of his involvement with Lekra (Institute of Folk Culture), one of the left-wing organizations in Indonesia. It also makes him sentenced without court in the reign of Suharto. Pramoedya Ananta Toer then sent to Nusakambangan, and finally exiled to Buru Island in eastern Indonesia.

On this Buru island, Pramoedya Ananta Toer write his monumental work known as the Buru tetralogy, consisting of: "Bumi Manusia" (Earth of Mankind,1980); "Anak Semua Bangsa" (Child of All Nations,1981); "Jejak Langkah" (Trails,1985); and
"Rumah Kaca" (Glass House,1988). Through the Buru tetralogy and his other works, Pramoedya Ananta Toer prove to his friends and enemies, that he was a writer with humanity and Indonesian-ness concern. That's what makes the name of Pramoedya Ananta Toer become one of the important milestones in the history and maps of Indonesian literature .

Some of the Rumah Gadang Unique

2009-11-27T08:35:00.000-08:00

1. Facing direction.
Usually Rumah Gadang built following the direction of cardinal, extends north to south or or vice versa. So that the window, whether it is located in front or behind of the building is always facing to the direction of sunrise and sunset. This choice is a reflection of the Minangkabau culture of learning to nature. With this option, the occupants of the Rumah gadang can always find out the course of time, morning, afternoon and evening, through the direction of the shadows.

2. Roof Shape
Rumah Gadang roof always made steep, so that no matter how rain, water can not settle on the roofs that made of palm fiber. With the same shape, then in the house will have high ceilings, which function to protect the occupants of the house gadang from hot weather during the day and provide comfort.

3. Wall Forms
Rumah Gadang walls are usually made larger upward. The goal is to avoid exposure water splashing during the rain.

4. House Trap
While pools under the Rumah Gadang, provide good air circulation for occupants of the house. Then in the courtyard of the house gadang, there are two buildings called Rangkiang that serves as a granary.

5. Leaning pole
Rumah Gadang poles have its own slope. In their construction, these poles do not use nails, but wooden pegs. Its function, is to make buildings earthquake resistant. The pegs of poles in the house will be more stronger each time the earthquake shaking. This is the traditional indigenous to their region as the areas with prone earthquake.

The story of Rambutan in Indonesia

2009-11-05T02:49:00.000-08:00

Rambutan (Nephelii lappacei) is one of most popular traditional fruit that is loved by Indonesian society. Usually, rambutan fruit producting at certain times, which is traditionally called "musim rambutan" (rambutan season). Besides of its sweet taste and water contain that can release thirsty, rambutan also contains carbohydrates, protein, fat, phosphorus, iron, calcium and of course vitamin C.

Rambutan fruit skin is usually discarded, but it can be used as medicine. Traditionally, the Indonesian people use it as a remedy dysentery and fever, as for the leaves and bark is used to treat thrush, diarrhea and Hair care.

However, modern research later proved that rambutan seeds can be used to overcome diabetes (diabetes mellitus). If you want to try, here is how to do. First fried the rambutan seeds (as much as needed), then ground up it into powder. To drink it, the rambutan seed powder can be brewed with one cup of hot water, then leave it to cool. After the water is cold, you can drink it all at once. Do it 1-2 times a day. Good luck ..

Minangkabau, a Story

2009-10-11T01:49:00.000-07:00

The member of Minangkabau society known a story about the origins of naming "Minangkabau". According to this perspective, the Minangkabau consists of two words, namely "Minang" (won) and "kabau" (buffalo). It is said that once time ago a king of the nowhere country came to conquer the Melayu people. The Melayu people (in Minangkabau area now) trying to avoid war and proposed a buffalo fighting game instead. The king agreed and began the game.

On the games day, all the people gathered to watch. The King brought a large and ferocious buffalo that hard to beat. As for the Melayu (in Minangkabau area now) did not have that big buffalo. So the intellectual of country gathered for deliberation to find a strategy to keep winning the games.

Then, the game began. Watching the buffalo that is brought by the king, the Melayu people be wry. Especially when they own buffalo presented. It's only a buffalo baby, which makes the king and his soldiers were laughing. But later, the baby buffalo ran into the game area, then plow down the opponent buffalo, and tore the big buffalo's belly. The big buffalo came down fall and die.

Apparently, the buffalo child was breastfed and have been separated from its mother a few days and hunger. Before the game, the children are paired by horns of buffalos that made from sharpened iron.So that, Melayu people (in Minangkabau area now) win the war without bloodshed, and became known as the Minangkabau society.

Tulak Bala: Send the disaster go away

2009-09-10T23:42:00.000-07:00

The Tulak Bala (literally: refused reinforcements) is a ritual performed by Minangkabau traditional communities to drive something called bala (disasters), such as plague, drought or other natural disasters. Typically, this ritual conducted together by the population in certain villages, who feel that the disaster surrounded them. But it may also be implemented as a form of anticipation, so that disasters do not come to their villages.

In the execution of tulak bala ritual, village communities, or some person who was selected as a representative or can also volunteered, who became executor of ritual, usually will down around the village roads as they read the prayers of salvation, which is typically called "ratik". Often too, the reading of ratik is accompanied by the burning of incense, so that the incense smoke also scattered along the villages road. However, this incense burning, in the present day being abandoned, along with the knowledge advanced of the society.

In the past, the smoke of incense is believed could accelerate the arrival of the prayer. According to various sources, the involvement of incense smoke in the in traditional rituals, is a form of Islamic acculturation with the previous religion, ie Hinduism and Buddhism.

After performing the ritual around the village, the executor of ritual which consists of clergy, scholars and community leaders gathered again in a place that had been planned, mostly in the courtyard of a mosque or any house.

Rumah Gadang In Minangkabau

2009-08-03T10:42:00.000-07:00

Rumah gadang (Minangkabau language: 'big house') are the traditional homes of the Minangkabau. The architecture, construction, internal and external decoration, and the functions of the house reflect the culture and values of the Minangkabau. A Rumah gadang serves as a residence, a hall for family meetings, and for ceremonial activities.

With the Minangkabau society being matrilineal, the rumah gadang is owned by the women of the family who live there - ownership is passed from mother to daughter. The houses have dramatic curved roof structure with multi-tired, upswept gables. Shuttered windows are built into walls incised with profuse painted floral carvings. The term rumah gadang usually refers to the larger communal homes, however, smaller single residences share many of its architectural elements.

"Tabuik" In Pariaman City, West Sumatera

2009-08-02T10:35:00.000-07:00

'Tabuik' is the local manifestation of the Shi'a Muslim Remembrance of Muharram among the Minangkabau people in the coastal regions of West Sumatra, Indonesia, particularly in the city of Pariaman. The festival includes reenactments of the Battle of Karbala, and the playing of tassa and dhol drums. ''Tabuik'' is also the term used to refer to the high funeral biers carried around during remembrance procession.

Although originally a Shi'a festival, nowadays most inhabitants of Pariaman and other area's where similar ''Tabuik''-festivals are held, are mainly Sunni Muslims.
The remembrance is referred to as ''Tabut'' in Indonesian.

''Tabuik'' is made from bamboo, rattan and paper. During the week of ''Tabuik'' many activities are held including kite races, traditional plays such as ''Tari Piring'' and traditional plays. THe remembrance draws a large crowd including dignitaries such as the provincial governor, to see ''Tabuik'' in the morning before it is slowly taken to the beach. At noon, before it is thrown into the sea, there is a lot of activity with ''Tabuik''. After they are thrown into the sea many people go swimming looking for 'memories' of the ''Tabuik'' to keep.
A tabuik monument in the center of Pariaman

The practice of throwing a ''tabuik'' into the sea has taken place every year in Pariaman on the 10th of Muharram since 1831[1]. The practice was introduced to the region by Shi'ite Muslim ''sepoy'' troops from India who were stationed and later settled there during the British Raj.