Sari Widiati
The Charm of Cikini, Where Jakarta’s Past and Present Co-Exist
Originally built as part of Weltevreden, an elite residential area on the outskirts of Batavia, what we know now as Cikini is certainly one of Jakarta’s important historical areas. Many stories are found here, from the birth of Indonesia’s first zoo to the attempted assassination of President Soekarno. Despite experiencing rapid development, many heritage buildings
Bangkok: A City with Cultural Legacy and Modernity
As the gateway to Thailand’s stunning islands and beaches, Bangkok offers non-stop action, dazzling travellers with its kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, and scents. It is a city where tradition and modernity harmoniously coexist, creating a unique blend of past and present. As the gateway to Thailand’s stunning islands and beaches, Bangkok offers non-stop action, dazzling
Beema Honey: Cultivating the Health Benefits of Indonesia’s Wild Bees
Intrigued by the potential health benefits of honey, Fransisca Natalia and Jeremy Cooper delved deeper into nature’s own sweetener. In their search for natural honey, they were surprised to find so few Indonesian-sourced products, leading them to start Beema Honey. Their journey in this new field began an eye-opening discovery into the magic of bees,
Tanjidor: The Betawi Folk Orchestra
Tanjidor is a traditional Betawi musical orchestra largely composed of brass and wind instruments and drums. This modest ensemble was played by the slaves during the Dutch colonial era. From its name, the most common theory says that tanjidor derived from the Portuguese words, tanger (to play music) and tangedor (playing music outdoors). In Portugal, the
Exploring Jakarta’s Own “Rumah Batik”
Unlike Solo, Pekalongan, Yogyakarta, Cirebon or Lasem, Jakarta is not on the radar when we think of batik-producing regions. At least, it’s no longer on the radar, as Jakarta was once one of the main hubs for batik-making, complete with its own motifs and styles. / Photos by Begies Imanda. Having almost gone completely extinct within
Jakarta Biennale 2024: Celebrating 50 Years of Contemporary Indonesian Art
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Jakarta Biennale, which will be held from 1 October to 15 November 2024. Held across 50 days at the Emiria Soenassa and S. Sudjojono galleries in Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), the event spotlights Jakarta’s diverse art collectives, all members of the Majelis Jakarta (Jakarta Assembly), to nurture
A Shared Maritime Culture: Exploring 75 Years of Philippines-Indonesia Relations
In commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Indonesia, and the annual celebration of Maritime and Archipelagic Nations Awareness Month (MANA MO), the Philippine Embassy in Indonesia invited prominent historian, Ambeth R. Ocampo, to give an insightful lecture on Philippines’ national history, shown through maps. Ambeth R. Ocampo is a public historian and
Reviving Batik in Jakarta: Preserving The City’s Textile Artisans
Unlike Solo, Pekalongan, Yogyakarta, Cirebon or Lasem, Jakarta is not on the radar when we think of batik producing regions. At least, it’s no longer on the radar, as Jakarta was once one of the main hubs for batik-making, complete with its own motifs and styles. So, what happened? Here we explore the history of
Preserving Traditional Indonesian Food
Indonesia is a mosaic of thousands of islands, and each island has its own culinary traditions, thus creating a huge mosaic of culinary diversity, possibly unmatched anywhere. And in Indonesia, food is not just the physical consumption of those unique flavours, but a window into the soul of its people. Food offers an immersive experience
Glodok, Jakarta’s Historical Chinatown
The Glodok Pancoran area in West Jakarta is a window into the Chinese culture beyond its homeland. Against a vibrant backdrop of cultural diversity, this bustling area offers a paradise of luscious food, heritage sites, colourful temples filled with incense, encounters with intriguing personalities, and enticing bargain hunts. Delving into the old buildings reveals the
Un-Yang-Kor-Dai: Authentic Isaan Thai Cuisines Opens in Jakarta
Originally from Khao Yai, a region of northeastern Thailand, Un-Yang-Kor-Dai makes a grand entrance into Jakarta in the vibrant locale of East Coast, PIK. The restaurant stands out for offering a unique blend of Thai and Isaan flavours, delivered with perfect authenticity. When it comes to Thai cuisine, authenticity is key. It’s about balancing sweet,
Gigi Balang: A Classic Betawi Ornament
Gigi balang is a traditional Betawi pattern often used in vernacular architecture. Beyond simple decoration, this ornamental pattern is symbolic of a Betawi philosophy on life. The term gigi balang comes from gigi belalang, or ‘grasshopper teeth’. This comes from the idea that grasshoppers, on their pursuit to bite their way through wood, can only do
GBK: Jakarta’s Legendary Landmark Undergoing Transformation
The Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex (GBK) is currently undergoing a transformation in land use, adopting a multifunctional and inclusive approach to elevate its status as a leading sports hub and a world-class venue for cultural, entertainment, and tourism events in Southeast Asia. Born from the visionary thoughts of Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, GBK was
