Indonesia

Udeng avaThe importance of this Balinese headdress for the local religious ceremonies is bigger and more interesting than you might think. White udeng headpiece is worn by Indonesian men when they’re worshiping their gods in the temples – it covers the head and prevents people from losing hairs in these sacred places, which is considered the violation of a temple. So, udeng is much more than just a traditional headwear in Bali. What else curious and symbolic features does the udeng headscarf has?

Batik avaThe batik cloth is a big part of Indonesian traditional culture. But what’s so special about it? How does it differ from any other fabrics around the world? Let’s find out a bit more about the batik and its role in the life of Indonesians. Why is this cloth still used in everyday life when a lot of handmade fabrics and folk clothing made from them are so rare and ousted by modern industrially-produced garments? Batik fabric is extremely popular in Asia and the Pacific region even in the 21st century. More than that, it’s widely used in some African countries as well.

legong avaThe legong folk dance in Indonesia is a special ritual performed at public festivals and celebrations. In the past, it was an entertainment for the royals. It is a unique show and it can seem rather weird for outlanders, but Indonesians consider it a spiritual and meaningful performance. Though, we’re interested mostly in the traditional costume of legong dancers rather than movements and music. So, let’s look at this attire a bit closer.

Bali avaThe island of Bali is a part of Indonesia, thus their cultural peculiarities and clothing traditions are alike. But there also are some differences. Let’s find out more about the Balinese colorful traditional attire and how to put it on. The Balinese folk outfit is one of a few where a men’s traditional costume includes more garments than a women’s one. In most countries around the world, we observe the opposite.

Batik designs avaBatik fabric is very popular in Indonesia. A lot of traditional garments are made from this cloth. But it is a hard work to put the design onto the fabric. They dye, bleach, dry, and dye again. Several times in a row. But every extra step is needed and not useless. For me, the most exciting process of the batik production is stamping. Find your favorite step.

Batik avaIndonesians widely use a batik cloth made by a special technique of wax-resist dyeing. During the dye process, the waxed areas resist the dye, and when the wax is removed, a pattern emerges. The process is time-consuming and requires some skill and imagination. But a lot of Indonesian and, in particular, Javanese artisans are engaged in this craft. We’d like to offer you some pretty much detailed info about how to make batik and what peculiarities there are in this process.

Indonesia wedding avaIndonesia is one of the most heavily populated Asian countries. More than 200 millions of people and over 300 different ethnic groups live in this country. That's why the traditions and folklore of Indonesia are diverse and unique. It is an island country which also influences the culture and customs of its citizens. Many traditional Indonesian costumes are originally the folk clothing of Java and Bali. Though, every ethnic group and minority in this country has its own clothing traditions, methods of making their national costumes, and tastes in adornments.