1.Batik Solo
Batik is an important icon of Indonesian culture. A beautiful city Solo, also known as
Surakarta is intertwined with the Javanese culture and claims to have some of the
finest batik craftsmen and their craftsmanship. The colors dominating Batik are blue
brown and white symbolizing earth, earth, fire and air and water. Batik solo uses
Sogan (chocolate brown) on a pale yellow background. If wish to buy Batik prints,
head straight to Pasar Klewer, a textile market in Solo with a bewildering array of
Batik prints.
2.The Barong and the Kris Dance
This traditional dance in Bali, with the 12th century classic tale of the battle between
the “Good vs. Evil” forming backdrop of the dance, is staged across the main tourist
areas of island. According to the spirituality as the base of this dance-drama, the
good spirit fights to save the kingdom from the wrath of evil spirits. Barong is a
positive soul in the body of a beast while queen Rangda is the soul of negativity in
the body of a witch. The two characters played by men perform delicately yet
extravagantly in heavily ornate Barong costumes along with other supporting actors.
3. Kamaro Island
A great history runs behind the Kamaro Island as according to the one of the
legends, the island is the evidence and symbol of love story of Princess Siti Fatimah
and a Chinese prince called Tan Bun An. A quintessential Chinese temple, the Hok
Cing Bio stands at the island attracting numerous devotees across the globe and also
attracts a huge crowd during Chinese New Year. ‘Cap Go Meh’, an
annual event for both Chinese and non-Chinese has huge celebrations and
participation at the islands.
4. Wayang Potehi
The Chinese cultural assimilation is heavily infused with the Indonesian architecture,
cuisine, costume and many other aspects. One of the most fascinating legacies of
Chinese culture is Wayang Potehi or the art of puppetry. While the Wayang Kuilt or
shadow puppets of Central Java and the Wayang Golek of West Java portray
characters from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana Indian epic poems, Wayang
Potehi features stories from Chinese legends.
31 SOCULTURES JAN-FEB2019