World Country Guide

Social Profile

Food & Drink
The staple diet for most Indonesians is rice (nasi), which is replaced on some islands with corn, sago, cassava and sweet potatoes. Rice dishes include nais campur, nasi uduk and rasirames. Indonesia’s spices make its local cuisine unique. Specialities include: rijstafel (a Dutch concoction consisting of a variety of meats, fish, vegetables and curries), sate (chunks of beef, fish, pork, chicken or lamb cooked on hot coals and dipped in peanut sauce). Almost every type of international cuisine is available in Jakarta, the most popular being Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese and Korean sate ajam (broiled, skewered marinated chicken), ajam ungkap (Central Java; deep-fried, marinated chicken), sate lileh (Bali; broiled, skewered fish sticks), ikan acar kuning (Jakarta; lightly marinated fried fish served in a sauce of pickled spices and palm sugar), soto (a soup dish with dumpling, chicken and vegetables), gado-gado (Java; a salad of raw and cooked vegetables with peanut and coconut milk sauce), babi guling (Bali; roast suckling pig) and opor ajam (boiled chicken in coconut milk and light spices). Indonesians like their food highly spiced and the visitor should always bear this in mind. In particular look out for the tiny, fiery hot, red and green peppers often included in salads and vegetable dishes. Seafood is excellent and features highly on menus everywhere (with salt and fresh-water fish, lobsters, oysters, prawns, shrimp, squid, shark and crab all available).
Coconuts, which are found everywhere, are often used for cooking. Vegetables and fresh fruit, such as bananas, papaya, pineapple and oranges, are available throughout the year; some tropical fruits such as mango, watermelon and papaya areseasonal. A feature of Jakarta are the many warungs (street stalls). Each specialises in its own dish or drink, but travellers are probably best advised not to try them without the advice of an Indonesian resident. There are restaurants in the hotels which, along with many others, serve European, Chinese and Indian food.
Indonesia is a major producer and exporter of coffee and tea, which is available on almost every street corner. Bali produces a delicious rice wine called brem while in Tana Toraja (southern Sulawesi); visitors may wish to sample a Tuak, a famously potent local brew. Local pilsner beer is also available.

Nightlife
Jakarta nightclubs feature international singers and bands and are open until 0400 during weekends. Jakarta has over 40 cinemas and some English-language and subtitled films are shown. There are also casinos, and theatres providing cultural performances. Dancing is considered an art, encouraged and practised from very early childhood. The extensive repertoire is based on ancient legends and stories from religious epics. Performances are given in village halls and squares, and also in many of the leading hotels by professional touring groups. The dances vary enormously, both in style and number of performers. Some of the more notable are the Legong, a slow, graceful dance of divine nymphs; the Baris, a fast moving, noisy demonstration of male, warlike behaviour; and the Jauk, a riveting solo offering by a masked and richly costumed demon. Many consider the most dramatic of all to be the famous Cecak (Monkey Dance) which calls for 100 or more very agile participants. Many of the larger hotels, particularly in Bali, put on dance shows accompanied by the uniquely Indonesian Gamelan Orchestras.
Throughout the year, many local moonlight festivals occur; tourists should check locally. Indonesian puppets are world famous and shows for visitors are staged in various locations.

Shopping
Favourite buys are batik cloth, woodcarvings and sculpture, silverwork, woven baskets and hats, bamboo articles, krises (small daggers), paintings and woven cloth. At small shops, bartering might be necessary. Shopping hours: Mon-Sun 1000-2100. Most local markets open either very early in the morning or at dusk.

Special Events
There are numerous festivals which take place during the year, the dates of which often vary according to the Hindu or Buddhist calendars. Bali stages some magnificent festivals all year round. Festival calendars can be obtained on arrival. The Sultan’s birthday in mid-December is celebrated by a fair and festival in Yogyakarta, Java. For a full list of festivals and special events, contact the Indonesia Tourism Promotion Board or a representative ITPO office (see Contact Addresses). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Indonesia in 2005:
Jan Lomban Festival (fishermen’s festival), Jepara. Apr Nyepi (Day of Silence), Bali and Tenggara. Jun-Jul Bali Arts Festival, Denpasar. Aug-Sep Kerapan Sapi (bull races), Madura Island. Sep 24 Dugderran (festival for the start of Ramadan), various towns/venues. Oct 24 Idul Fitri (Eid al-Fitr), marking the end of Ramadan, Kebumen. Dec Pukul Sapu.

Social Conventions
Indonesia encompasses at least 583 separate languages and dialects, many of them as different from each other as Welsh is from English. Since independence, many people have developed a strong sense of national pride, and maintain traditions of dance, painting, woodcarving and stonecarving. Social courtesies are often fairly formal. In particular, when drink or food is served, it should not be touched until the host invites the guest to do so. Never pass or accept anything with the left hand. Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon and kissing in public will attract a great deal of unwanted attention. Touching a stranger of the same sex while in conversation is very common. Pointing is considered impolite and patting children on the head should be avoided. Indonesians are polite and will extend endless courtesies to visitors whom they trust and like. Smiling is a cultural tradition and Indonesians smile frequently, even in an uncomfortable or difficult situation. Visitors should avoid the temptation of losing their temper. When invited home, a gift is appreciated (as long as it is given with the right hand). Informality is normal, but a few smart establishments encourage guests to dress for dinner. Safari suits are acceptable on formal occasions and for business wear. Muslim customs, especially those concerning female clothes, should be observed. Tipping: Tipping is normal and 10 per cent is customary, except where a service charge is included in the bill. Taxi fees should be rounded up to the nearest number. Small change is rarely given and visitors should carry a supply of their own.