Not only known for its natural beauty, Indonesia is also rich in heritage that spreads from Sabang to Merauke. Want to know more about annual festivals in Indonesia that are exciting for you to witness? See the list below!
Every culture also gets a fascinating annual festival, you know! There are many festivals in Indonesia that you can attend as well as celebrate together with local residents. It must be exhilarating and impressive because you can have fun while learning to appreciate the diversity of Indonesian culture.
1. Tawur Agung Kesanga - Bali and Yogyakarta
The participants are carrying "Ogoh-Ogoh" as the symbol of evils (photo by: Bakti Buwono).
"In disharmony conditions, the five elements can cause disasters for any species on earth. So, these elements are harmonised for the happiness of the universe and sustainability of life"
This celebration is to maintain a balance of 5 natural elements, they are: water, air, earth, fire and space, which believed will bring happiness and sustainability of life. Tawur Agung Kesanga festival will always be held one day before Nyepi Day (Day of Silence) by the Hindu community is exciting because every district in Bali will hold an ogoh-ogoh parade. Ogoh-ogoh is a giant statue that is made to resemble the form of bhuta kala or a giant replica doll – the symbol of evils in Hindu beliefs. This celebration aims to dispossess all evils around the community so that people can celebrate Nyepi without any interference from evil thoughts. This parade is usually followed by temple communities who will compete to make the scariest statue to amaze the audience.
Each ogoh-ogoh will be carried by 10 to 20 people while dancing and screaming to imitate the behavior of an evil creature who came to terrorize the visitors. Guaranteed, you won't get bored looking at this festival!
2. Jember Fashion Festival - Jember
One of the participants showing her costume (photo by: Robert Harding).
Jember Fashion Carnaval is like the Indonesian version of Rio De Janeiro Carnival. The festival that got a spotlight from the international community is held every year to celebrate the anniversary of the city of Jember. Each participant will showcase a costume with a unique and magnificent concept. From dresses that resemble peacocks to gold knight costumes, this festival has to be in your bucket list when you are travelling in Indonesia!
Now, every Jember Fashion Carnaval holds a different theme event. As in 2018, the theme raised by Jember Fashion Carnaval Commission is Asia Light. With this theme, each person shows costumes that are inspired by 10 regions in Asia. Wow, the costumes are definitely cool!
3. Karakan Sapi - Madura Island
The jockey rides his cows to the finish line (Photo by: Satriotomo).
"When photographing bull racing, there must be a technique that must be mastered. Both in terms of translation, and light, which is clearly more challenging as they are incredibly fast"
If the western world has a horse race, Madura has a cow race! Karapan Sapi is a race festival that is held on Madura Island, East Java. In this festival, participants will be tested for their prowess in spurring their buffalo to reach the finish line. The winner of this race every year will receive a special trophy from the President. Excitement Karapan Cow is located in the atmosphere while watching, where all visitors will exclaim and support which cows win. Exciting, impressive, and very Indonesian!
4. Dieng Culture Festival - Dieng
Thousands of visitors releasing lanterns to the air (photo by: Gogotour).
Curious how it feels to watch a concert on the mountain with cold temperatures? Come straight to the Dieng Culture Festival! The annual celebration, which was held in the Dieng highland, succeeded in bringing thousands of visitors to the connoisseurs of culture, music, and tourism in Indonesia. Various famous activities usually become the target of tourists, such as watching Jazz Above Clouds and releasing hundreds of lanterns into the air. However, to join this festival, you have to prepare a thick jacket, because the temperature there can reach -4 degrees! Wow, it feels like you are not in Indonesia!
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