Unique Traditions in Indonesia – You probably already know that Indonesia is an archipelagic country that has many ethnicities, tribes and religions. Therefore, from the western tip of Indonesia to the eastern tip, various unique traditions that differ from one region to another have been maintained to this day, and it can be seen how these traditions coexist with society.
Unique Traditions in Indonesia
surlerythme – These traditions and customs are of course our pride as Indonesian people because they only exist in our homeland. Are you curious about the unique traditions that differentiate Indonesia from other countries?
1. Tiwa Ceremony – Central Kalimantan
In Central Kalimantan, there is a special tradition carried out for those who have died in the past. This Tiwa ritual is usually carried out by Dayak people by offering the bones of the deceased to a house called sandung so that the spirit can go to leu tatau or heaven. This unique ritual also aims to alleviate the misfortune of the remaining family members.
2. Finger Amputation Tradition – Papua
This tradition is considered extreme and is abandoned by many members of the Dani tribe. Cutting a finger is a tradition that expresses the sadness of a family member who has lost a finger. For the Dani people, fingers have a deeper meaning and are symbolized as a form of harmony, unity and strength between people and families.
3. Pointed Teeth of the Mentawai People – Kalimantan
For the Mentawai people, beautiful women must meet three criteria. First, his body must be decorated with tithes or tattoos. Third, their teeth are considered sharp.
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4. Kebo Keboan – Banyuwangi
This annual ritual is always carried out every 10 Suro or 10 Muharram in Arasmaran village in Shingojul, Banyuwangi. In this ritual, several men dress up as buffalo and have to make sacrifices to plow the fields. After plowing the fields, Kebo Keboan is paraded around the village with a folk arts carnival. The Kebo Keboan ritual is to pray for rain during the dry season.
5. Calf fighting tradition – South Sulawesi
Indonesia, where the majority of its people make their living as farmers, has many traditions in celebrating the harvest season. One of them occurred in Parot Hamlet, Sanaeko Village, Balebo, Birth, South Sulawesi, is that unique? This tradition is practiced through Malanka games. Basically, the younger generation must use their strength to follow this tradition of calf fighting.
6. Minahasa funeral traditions – North Sulawesi
Minahasan people have unique burial rituals that are different from other traditions. Minahasa people sit with their legs wrapped around themselves, not with their bodies in a sleeping position. According to some beliefs, such burial traditions symbolize a state of purity and bring goodness. When not in a sitting position, your body position should face north. This is caused by stories passed down from generation to generation by the ancestors of the Minahasa people.
7. Tabuik – West Sumatra
Tabuik means “ark” or “parade” in Arabic. This tradition is carried out by the people of the west coast of West Sumatra and is passed down from generation to generation. This abstinence ritual is carried out every Ashura day, namely the 10th of the month of Muharram. This traditional ritual is a symbol and expression of the deep sorrow and respect of the Pariaman Muslims for the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad SAW.
8. Dugderan – Semarang
Approaching the fasting month, the city of Semarang is increasingly busy with Dugderan events. This long-standing tradition is a sign that the Ngendokwein fasting month has arrived. Warak Ngendoku is a fictional star with the body of a goat, the head of a dragon, and skin with golden scales.
9. Burning Barge – Riau
The Chinese community living in Bagansia Piapi, Riau Province holds a tonkaku roasting ceremony every July. According to legend, this ritual was carried out to prevent the ancestors from returning to their original location. The commemoration ceremony for the sea gods Ki On Ya and Tai Su On, who is said to be a two-faced god, has an even more important meaning.
10. Batombe – West Sumatra
It is true that rhymes are one of the characteristics of Indonesian people. Initially, batombe was a tradition carried out when building a gadan house.
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11. Brobosan – Java
Brobosan, which means “breakthrough”, is carried out during the death ritual before the body is buried. Usually the closest family preserves the brobosa tradition. It is believed that this can make the bereaved family forget their sadness and become a form of final respect for the deceased.
12. Tatung – Singkawan
This Tatung tradition is always held in front of Cap Gau Me in the city of Singkawan. Tatung’s presence makes the Cap Gomé festival very lively in this area.
13. Pasola – East Nusa Tenggara
Pasola is a tradition carried out once a year by residents of Kodi, Lamboya, Wanokaka and Galoa villages in the West Sumba region. This tradition of fighting horse and spear skills is the highlight of the Nyare Traditional Festival which is held to seek blessings from the gods and ancestors ahead of the harvest season. In carrying out Pasola, two “Sumba Knights” ride each other on wooden sticks. Arena Pasola is believed to make the land fertile and produce abundant harvests.
14. Seba Banten
The Badui people are widely known as a tribe that is isolated from the outside world and still continues the local wisdom of their ancestors. However, sometimes thousands of Bedouins leave their villages and walk almost 100 kilometers to hand over their harvest to Gede, who is now in the city of Serang. What is meant by “Royal Lady”?
15. Maanene Toraja, South Sulawesi
Residents of Toraja Regency have a unique ritual called Manene which attracts tourists visiting Tana Toraja. The bodies of family members are removed from the graves, cleaned, and dressed in various types of clothing, from jackets for men to dresses for women. This unique ritual, which is carried out every three years, shows the importance of maintaining relationships with other family members, including those who have died.