Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts
November 20, 2008
TANAH TORAJA
Why do people choose Toraja land as a destination? We have spoken to many travelers, while in Sulawesi (Celebes) and they all seemed to say the same things. They had arrived in Sulawesi (Celebes) and the study of Toraja land, either because they had heard such wonderful things from friends or relatives who had been there or who had previously visited themselves. What people seem to be the best friends were the people, culture and beauty of the virgin in the majority of Sulawesi.
Toraja runs along the coast about 130 kilometers from Makasar or Ujung Pandang. After the entry of Tanah Toraja enter a majestic landscape with giant gray, granites and stones and blue mountains at a distance after passing the market village of Mebali. Will form a sharp contrast with the green living in fertility, rain-fed terraces and read the rusted of tropical laterite soil. This is Tanah Toraja, one of the most beautiful areas of Indonesia.
Tanah Toraja has a specific and unique funeral ceremony is called Rambu Solo. In Tanah Toraja, dead body is not buried, but that is put into Tongkonan several times, maybe even more than ten years until the family has enough money to held the ceremony. After the ceremony, the corpse was carried to the cave or on the wall of the mountain. The skulls show us that the body is not buried but just put on the stone or earth, or put at the funeral hole.The festival season begins when the last rice has been harvested, usually in late June or July and lasts until September.
ourist who wants to stay in the heart of the city has many options as there are large number of hotels available. Or if you had an adventurous soul, you can sleep in villages along the way.
Bemo is the best way to get to know the locals, besides chartered vehicles (jeeps and minibuses), with or without a driver. While in the village you can take a stroll to move.
Take a side trip to Rantepao Kete, a traditional village with excellent handicraft shops. Behind the village on a hill is a mass grave with the monitoring of LifeSize statues oldest coffins
Visit Batu Tumonga Plateu; it means stone that facing to the sky. From here can be seen many volcanic stones comes up in between padi fields. And, several giant stones cave became a graveyard. The points of view is quite impressive. The huge Tanah Toraja [Toraja land] looks so lush and green. Like a mosaic of modulating the tone of the green
Palawan is an excellent visit to a village Tongkonan, or a place of burial pululando even with the celebrations and festivals.
Most times, you can not eat at those places, however, appear more warung and restaurants along the road. You can also bring their own food and drinks.
There is a souvenir shop where you can buy anything specific Tanah Toraja. There are clothes, bags, wallets and other handicrafts.
Visitor are expected to adhere to the customs and dress to keep a current mode, such as cigarettes or coffee when Tongkonan.
1. As the roads are not always paved, it is necessary to use a jeep or walking, even when the weather is good (between May and October).
2. Watch your head every time you go to Tongkonan inside, Toraja The traditional house.
3. Enrekang, Makala and Toraja Higland are surrounded by stunning cliffs of volcanic rock. Do not miss it, and just stop taking the picture for a while and not reg
October 7, 2008
Me and family wish you all a glorious Eid al Fitr 1429 H, Eid Mubarak, Minal Aidin Walfaidzin
After fasting one month in ramadhan, finally we met the day-awaited, the Idul fitri. Some things that have been waiting for when the Idul Fitri comes, the Eid prayer, sungkeman, opor ayam (Javanese chicken curry) and ketupat (compressed rice with a squarish shape) !!
Opor and Ketupat is a special menu ta the day, this food was never behind, almost all in the family and the people who lived in Indonesia for Foreign Affairs would never skip the menu this one.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and peace. It is a time of intense spiritual renewal for those who observe it. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims around the world observe a joy for three days of celebration called Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Fast Breaking or in Indonesia called Idul Fitri / Lebaran
Opor and Ketupat is a special menu ta the day, this food was never behind, almost all in the family and the people who lived in Indonesia for Foreign Affairs would never skip the menu this one.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a strict fast and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving and peace. It is a time of intense spiritual renewal for those who observe it. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims around the world observe a joy for three days of celebration called Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Fast Breaking or in Indonesia called Idul Fitri / Lebaran
On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This consists of a sermon followed by a short congregational prayer.
After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various relatives and friends, give gifts (especially children), and make phone calls to distant relatives to give well-wishes on vacation. These activities traditionally continue for three days. In most Muslim countries, all on 3-day is an officer of government and school holidays.
It's easy to make this Ketupat and Opor Ayam, here is the recipe,
KETUPAT, these firm rice cakes are usually cooked in individual baskets of woven coconut leaves so that the rice swells until it fills the basket and becomes firmly compressed. Here is a simple and more practical way of producing similar results, called lontong.
Ingredients:
* 500 gr short or medium grain rice
* 4 cups water
* banana leaf or aluminium foil
Method:
1. Bring the water and rice to the boil
2. cover tightly with lid
3. turn heat very low and cook for 35-40 minutes until all water is ubsorbed
4. stir vigorously with wooden spoon
5. then press rice into a cake tin or pie plate to depth of about 2,5 cm (1 inch)
6. use a piece of washed and greased banana leaf or greased aluminium foil to cover the surface of the rice and put another plate on top
7. press down very firmly the plate
8. put a weight on top and leave at room temperature for a few hours, until very firm.
9. remove weight, plate and banana leaf and use a wet knife to cut rice into squares.
10. serve with Opor Ayam (Javanese Chicken Curry)
OPOR AYAM
Ingredients:
1 tsp coriander seeds
6 shallots, peeled and cut into chunks
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 piece galangal, about 1 1/2 inches long, peeled and roughly sliced (optional)
1 piece ginger, about 2 inches long, peeled and roughly sliced
3 tsp peanut oil
1 thick stalk lemon grass, stem end and brittle top cut off
2 pieces cinnamon stick
5 kaffir lime leaves
3 pounds skins-on chicken legs , thighs or both (if possible, have thighs cut in half and knuckle cut of legs) patted dry
2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
method:
1. in a small food processor, whirl coriander seeds until finely ground. and shallot, garlic, galangal and ginger, process t smooth paste, adding a tablespoon or so water if needed.(ingredients can also be chopped finely, than pounded together in mortar and pestle)
2. heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. when oil is hot enough to gently sizzle a pinch of paste, add all the paste and cook, stirring often until golden. reduce head as needed to provent browning.
3. using a heavy object like a glass measuring cup, smash lemon grass stalk, crushing lightly just until bendable. Tie in a knot, pulling gently on both ends. Add to pot with cinnamon and lime leaves, cook 1 minute more, until cinnamon is fragrant.
4. scrape paste to one side and chicken to pot. Raise head and brown chicken lightly on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Add 1 cup coconut milk, 1 1/4 cups water, and salt, stirring well adn scrapping up browned bits from bottom of pot. bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered 40-50 minutes, until chicken cooked through and sauce is thickened. do not boil.
5. Add remaining coconut milk and heat through. taste for salt, let cool slightly and serve
After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various relatives and friends, give gifts (especially children), and make phone calls to distant relatives to give well-wishes on vacation. These activities traditionally continue for three days. In most Muslim countries, all on 3-day is an officer of government and school holidays.
It's easy to make this Ketupat and Opor Ayam, here is the recipe,
KETUPAT, these firm rice cakes are usually cooked in individual baskets of woven coconut leaves so that the rice swells until it fills the basket and becomes firmly compressed. Here is a simple and more practical way of producing similar results, called lontong.
Ingredients:
* 500 gr short or medium grain rice
* 4 cups water
* banana leaf or aluminium foil
Method:
1. Bring the water and rice to the boil
2. cover tightly with lid
3. turn heat very low and cook for 35-40 minutes until all water is ubsorbed
4. stir vigorously with wooden spoon
5. then press rice into a cake tin or pie plate to depth of about 2,5 cm (1 inch)
6. use a piece of washed and greased banana leaf or greased aluminium foil to cover the surface of the rice and put another plate on top
7. press down very firmly the plate
8. put a weight on top and leave at room temperature for a few hours, until very firm.
9. remove weight, plate and banana leaf and use a wet knife to cut rice into squares.
10. serve with Opor Ayam (Javanese Chicken Curry)
OPOR AYAM
Ingredients:
1 tsp coriander seeds
6 shallots, peeled and cut into chunks
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 piece galangal, about 1 1/2 inches long, peeled and roughly sliced (optional)
1 piece ginger, about 2 inches long, peeled and roughly sliced
3 tsp peanut oil
1 thick stalk lemon grass, stem end and brittle top cut off
2 pieces cinnamon stick
5 kaffir lime leaves
3 pounds skins-on chicken legs , thighs or both (if possible, have thighs cut in half and knuckle cut of legs) patted dry
2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
method:
1. in a small food processor, whirl coriander seeds until finely ground. and shallot, garlic, galangal and ginger, process t smooth paste, adding a tablespoon or so water if needed.(ingredients can also be chopped finely, than pounded together in mortar and pestle)
2. heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. when oil is hot enough to gently sizzle a pinch of paste, add all the paste and cook, stirring often until golden. reduce head as needed to provent browning.
3. using a heavy object like a glass measuring cup, smash lemon grass stalk, crushing lightly just until bendable. Tie in a knot, pulling gently on both ends. Add to pot with cinnamon and lime leaves, cook 1 minute more, until cinnamon is fragrant.
4. scrape paste to one side and chicken to pot. Raise head and brown chicken lightly on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Add 1 cup coconut milk, 1 1/4 cups water, and salt, stirring well adn scrapping up browned bits from bottom of pot. bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered 40-50 minutes, until chicken cooked through and sauce is thickened. do not boil.
5. Add remaining coconut milk and heat through. taste for salt, let cool slightly and serve
September 23, 2008
Prambanan Temple is extraordinarily beautiful building built in the tenth century during the reigns of two kings namely Rakai Pikatan and Rakai Balitung. Prambanan is the most beautiful Hindu temple in the world.The foundation of this temple has fulfilled the wish of the founder to show Hindu triumph on the island of Java.
There is a legend that the Javanese people always say about this temple. As tells the story, there was a man called Bandung Bondowoso who loved RoRo Jonggrang. To reject his love, Jonggrang question Bondowoso to his temple with statues of 1000 only in a night-time. The application was almost completed when Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and set a fire in order to look in the morning as had been broken. Feeling of being cheated, that only Bondowoso completed 999 statues Jonggrang cursed to be the thousandth statue.
Prambanan temple has three main temples in the main courtyard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva temples. The three temples are symbols of the Trimurti in the Hindu beliefs. All of them face east.
Very attractive accompanying Garuda temple is the temple which is located near the temple of Vishnu. This temple keeps a history of half-bird man named Garuda. Garuda is a mythical bird in Hindu mythology. The figure is golden body, white face, red wings, with the beak and wings of the eagle-like. It is assumed that the figure is the adaptation of Hindu Bennu (meaning 'rising' or 'shining') that is associated with the god of the sun. Garuda managed to save his mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda's brother disabled) for stealing Tirta Amerta (the sacred water of the gods). Their ability to save her mother made many people admire the present time and is used for various purposes. Indonesia uses the bird as a symbol of the country. Another country using the same symbol is Thailand with the same reason, but another form of adaptation and appearance.
You can discover many more things in Prambanan. If you feel tired to enjoy the relief, you can take a break in the beautiful garden in the complex. Since the September 18, 2006, you can enter the zone 1 zone Prambanan temple. The damage caused by the earthquake on May 27, 2006 is being rebuilt.
Prambanan temple has three main temples in the main courtyard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva temples. The three temples are symbols of the Trimurti in the Hindu beliefs. All of them face east.
Very attractive accompanying Garuda temple is the temple which is located near the temple of Vishnu. This temple keeps a history of half-bird man named Garuda. Garuda is a mythical bird in Hindu mythology. The figure is golden body, white face, red wings, with the beak and wings of the eagle-like. It is assumed that the figure is the adaptation of Hindu Bennu (meaning 'rising' or 'shining') that is associated with the god of the sun. Garuda managed to save his mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda's brother disabled) for stealing Tirta Amerta (the sacred water of the gods). Their ability to save her mother made many people admire the present time and is used for various purposes. Indonesia uses the bird as a symbol of the country. Another country using the same symbol is Thailand with the same reason, but another form of adaptation and appearance.
You can discover many more things in Prambanan. If you feel tired to enjoy the relief, you can take a break in the beautiful garden in the complex. Since the September 18, 2006, you can enter the zone 1 zone Prambanan temple. The damage caused by the earthquake on May 27, 2006 is being rebuilt.
Who does not know Borobudur? Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the ninth century . This Buddhist temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 effigies of Buddha in its compound. Millions of people are eager to visit this building as one of the Wonder World Heritage. It is hardly surprising given that architecturally and functionally, as the place for Buddhists to say their prayers, Borobudur is attractive.
Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of the Old Kingdom Mataram, a descendant of the dynasty Sailendra. The name of Borobudur, as some say, means having a mountain terraces (Budha), while others stated that the media Borobudur monastery in high place.
Borobudur was built as a ten-building terraces. The height, before it was restored to 42 meters and 34.5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level was used as a base of support. The first six terraces are in the form of squares, two terraces above are circular in shape, and the upper terrace of them is the statue of Buddha that faces west. Each terrace symbolizes the stage of human life. In line with the Mahayana Buddha, anyone who intends to reach the level of Buddha must go through each stage of life.
The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu symbolizes that human beings are still bound by lust. The top four stories are called for the Rupadhatu symbol that human beings have been set free from lust, but they are still bound to the appearance and form. On this terrace, effigies of the Buddha are placed in open spaces, while the other three upper terraces where effigies of Buddha are confined in domes with sets are called Arupadhatu, which symbolizes that human beings have been free of lust, appearance and form. The upper part is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where the Buddha is residing. All groups of relief in the temple of Borobudur reflect the teachings of Buddha. For the reason, this temple serves as a means to educate those who want to learn Buddhism.
Borobudur was built as a ten-building terraces. The height, before it was restored to 42 meters and 34.5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level was used as a base of support. The first six terraces are in the form of squares, two terraces above are circular in shape, and the upper terrace of them is the statue of Buddha that faces west. Each terrace symbolizes the stage of human life. In line with the Mahayana Buddha, anyone who intends to reach the level of Buddha must go through each stage of life.
September 22, 2008
When you spend the night in Yogyakarta while enjoying leather puppet show, you feel alive. The melodious rhythm of the gamelan in harmony with the voices of women singers will not let you sleep. The history presented by the dalang as the puppeteer, as well as the narrator takes you to be one of the characters in the story. You soon learn the greatness of Javanese culture in the past.
Shadow puppet show is a performance art that has been over half a millennium old. Their presence has its own history, in connection with the entry of Javanese Islam. This approval was made from shadow puppet show has been attached to the Javanese people so that they became good media to spread Islam, while Islam prohibits the visual arts. Consequently, shadow puppets are made so that people can see the shadow.
Shadow puppet show is performed by the puppeteer who is also the narrator who is possibly the best artist in the world. All night, he plays all the characters of the puppets of leather that form the human characters from buffalo skin decorated on the occasion of the proceeds of leather carving. He has to change the character voice, change the pitch, the production of humor and even sing. In order to live the atmosphere, the narrator is assisted by the musicians who play gamelan - a traditional Javanese musical instruments - and the woman called sinden singers who sing songs Javanese. The leather puppet show begins when the dalang pulls out a puppet in the form of a mountain called Gunungan.
Shadow puppet show is performed by the puppeteer who is also the narrator who is possibly the best artist in the world. All night, he plays all the characters of the puppets of leather that form the human characters from buffalo skin decorated on the occasion of the proceeds of leather carving. He has to change the character voice, change the pitch, the production of humor and even sing. In order to live the atmosphere, the narrator is assisted by the musicians who play gamelan - a traditional Javanese musical instruments - and the woman called sinden singers who sing songs Javanese. The leather puppet show begins when the dalang pulls out a puppet in the form of a mountain called Gunungan.
September 19, 2008
Ramadhan is a special month of the year for Muslims throughout the world. During this month Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset every day. It is time for inner reflection, self-control and devotion to God. In the month of Ramadhan, we usually eat sweets to break our fast.
In Indonesia, when Ramadhan comes, we can find the traditional desserts from around the world, especially street vendors. They sell the variation of sweet before Iftar. This type of dessert known as jajanan pasar, jajanan means to buy some food from street vendors, pasar means market), because normally the food they sell in the market instead of street. Today, I will going to make some of Indonesian traditional food, they called this food as KOLAK PISANG.
Kolak pisang (braised banana with palm sugar and coconut gravy) is a local dessert that is already familiar throughout this vast archipelago. Some hotels make this sweet dessert on the menu list. The filling can vary from one region to another. The fragrant leaves of a type of Pandanus sometimes known as fragrant screwpine, this is tied in a knot and is used to flavor desserts and pastries.
Ingredients:
1 pandan leaf (screwpine leaf)
2 big cubes of Palm Sugar
1 can of Toddy Palm Fruit
15 bananas
5 large sweet potato
1 can of coconut milk, add 2 cup of water
1 1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of salt
Directions:
- Peel skin from sweet potato, wash clean, cut into small cubes, place in a boiling pan
- Peel the banana skin, make small cuts and place in the boiling pan along with sweet potato
- Cut half each toddy palm fruit if desire, if not, leave it as its natural round, put into the boiling pan as well (without the water)
- Tie knot the screwpine leaf and add it into the pan
- Add sugar, salt, palm sugar, coconut milk, and the water into the pan
- Bring to boil everything inside the pan until sweet potato become tender, taste the soup if its sweet enough for you, turn off the stove.
- serve warm or cold is desired
In Indonesia, when Ramadhan comes, we can find the traditional desserts from around the world, especially street vendors. They sell the variation of sweet before Iftar. This type of dessert known as jajanan pasar, jajanan means to buy some food from street vendors, pasar means market), because normally the food they sell in the market instead of street. Today, I will going to make some of Indonesian traditional food, they called this food as KOLAK PISANG.
Ingredients:
1 pandan leaf (screwpine leaf)
2 big cubes of Palm Sugar
1 can of Toddy Palm Fruit
15 bananas
5 large sweet potato
1 can of coconut milk, add 2 cup of water
1 1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of salt
Directions:
- Peel skin from sweet potato, wash clean, cut into small cubes, place in a boiling pan
- Peel the banana skin, make small cuts and place in the boiling pan along with sweet potato
- Cut half each toddy palm fruit if desire, if not, leave it as its natural round, put into the boiling pan as well (without the water)
- Tie knot the screwpine leaf and add it into the pan
- Add sugar, salt, palm sugar, coconut milk, and the water into the pan
- Bring to boil everything inside the pan until sweet potato become tender, taste the soup if its sweet enough for you, turn off the stove.
- serve warm or cold is desired
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