Indonesian Culture Essay Example for Free

Indonesian Culture EssayIndonesia has about 300 ethnic groups, each with cultural identities certain over centuries, and influenced by Indian, Arabic, Chinese, and European sources. Traditional Javanese and Balinese dances, for example, contain aspects of Hindu culture and mythology, as do wayang kulit(shadow puppet) performances. Textiles such as batik, ikat, ulos and songket be created across Indonesia in styles that vary by region. The most dominant influences on Indonesian architecture feed traditionally been Indian however, Chinese, Arab, and European architectural influences contribute been significant. Sports in Indonesia ar generally male-orientated and spectator sports are often associated with illegal gambling. The most popular sports are badminton and football.Indonesian players have won the Thomas Cup (the world team championship of mens badminton) thirteen of the twenty-six times that it has been held since 1949, as well as numerous Olympic medals since the spo rt gained full Olympic status in 1992. Its women have won the Uber Cup, the female equivalent of the Thomas Cup, twice, in 1994 and 1996. Liga Indonesia is the countrys premier football club league. Traditional sports imply sepak takraw, and bull racing in Madura. In areas with a history of tribal warfare, mock fighting contests are held, such as, caci in Flores, and pasola in Sumba. Pencak Silat is an Indonesian martial art. Indonesian cuisine varies by region and is establish on Chinese, European, Middle Eastern, and Indian precedents.Rice is the main staple food and is served with side dishes of meat and vegetables. Spices (notably chili), coconut meat milk, fish and chicken are fundamental ingredients. Indonesian traditional music includes gamelan and keroncong. The Indonesian film industrys popularity gain in the 1980s and dominated cinemas in Indonesia, although it declined significantly in the early 1990s. Between 2000 and 2005, the number of Indonesian films released each year has steadily increased. The oldest evidence of writing in Indonesia is a series of Sanskrit inscriptions dated to the fifth century.Important figures in modern Indonesian literature include Dutch author Multatuli, who criticized treatment of the Indonesians infra Dutch colonial rule Sumatrans Muhammad Yamin and Hamka, who were influential pre-independence nationalist writers and politicians and proletarian writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Indonesias most famous novelist. umpteen of Indonesias peoples have strongly rooted oral traditions, which help to define and preserve their cultural identities.Media freedom in Indonesia increased considerably after the end of President Suhartos rule, during which the now-defunct Ministry of Information monitored and controlled domestic media, and restricted foreign media. The TV market includes ten national commercial networks, and provincial networks that compete with public TVRI. Private radio place carry their own news bulletins and fore ign broadcasters supply programs. At a reported 25 zillion users in 2008, Internet usage was estimated at 12.5% in September 2009. More than 30 million cell phones are sold in Indonesia each year, and 27 percent of them are local brands.