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

Bubur Ase: A Special Betawi Porridge

At the beginning of the 20th century, bubur ase was a popular food among Batavia residences and was a mainstay for Betawi society. A bowl of this special rice porridge, full of nutritious condiments, warmed stomachs and provided sustenance for the day. Other than being a favourite breakfast meal, the dish is an example of

Doha: Honouring History in an Ultra-Modern City

Qatar, powered by the great wealth of their natural resources, have since channeled their endowments into growing its cities and experiences, transforming this Middle-east nation into something of the future. Now, old desert forts contrast the hyper-modern cityscapes, especially that of Doha, the capital and hub of Qatar’s evolution. TouchIng down at the Hamad International

Pasar Baru: Jakarta’s Historic Shopping Arcade

Specifically built by the Dutch Colonial government to accommodate the shopping cravings of European and Dutch elites in Batavia, Pasar Baru — or Passer Baroe, as it was called then — became a melting pot of communities and ethnicities, from Chinese, Indians, Europeans, and even Malays. Considered the city’s oldest shopping arcade, Pasar Baru continues

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