Population
278,751,079 inhabitants (2024)
Official Language
Indonesian Malay (Bahasa Indonesia).
Languages of Indonesia
Indonesia is proud of its unique and diverse culture that is reflected in the 583 officially recognised languages and dialects as well as dozens of others. About 80% of the population speaks Indonesian, with Javanese being the second most popular language (32%), followed by Sundanese (16%), Madurese (5%), Minangkabau (2%), Buginese (1.9%), Palembang Malay (1.4%) and Banjarese (1.3%). Knowing Bahasa Indonesia, which is derived from multiple languages in the country, can be beneficial since 70% of Indonesians have a command of it and it's the leading language in government and media, as well as the only language that is broadly spoken across the entire country. English is a preferred language of communication in Indonesia, and many locals are able to converse in it. Dutch, which was brought to the country by colonial powers, remains part of the national language landscape but is increasingly less heard today.
People of Indonesia
Indonesia is home to an astonishingly diverse population, with over 750 ethnic groups spread across three distinct families. Of these groups, the Austronesian are the largest, boasting the Javanese who form a whopping 40% of the population. Other large Austronesian groups present are the Sundanese of East Java, Madurese in Java and Bali, Minangkabau of Sumatra, and Malays of Kalimantan. Papuans, numbering about one million individuals, are mostly concentrated in West Papua Province and Timor island. Additionally, the Chinese people have been present in Indonesia since the advent of Christianity, constituting a notable minority in the country.
Religion in Indonesia
The government of Indonesia officially recognises six different religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Muslims comprise the vast majority of the population - a staggering 85%. Most Muslims adhere to the Sunni denomination of Islam. Protestants make up approximately 6.5% of the population and are well-established in the region of Papua. Roman Catholicism representation stands at 3%, while Hinduism is followed by 1.6% of the populace, mostly among those of Balinese descent. Lastly, adherents of Buddhism count for 0.7% of the population, predominantly of Chinese descent.
Indonesia National Holiday
Anniversary of Independence: August 17 (1945).
Holiday Schedule
New Year's Day (January 1st), Ascension Day (40 days after Easter), and Christmas Day (December 25th) are all celebrated nationwide. There are also three to four nationally recognised holidays that involve parades and events commemorating Independence Day (August 17th). As Indonesia is largely populated by Muslims, holidays celebrated in the Islamic Calendar are important, such as Eid al-Fitr, to mark the end of Ramadan fasting; Eid al-Adha, to commemorate Abraham's sacrifice; Maulaud, to honour the Prophet's birthday; and Awal Muharram, the Muslim New Year. These dates can change each year due to the lunar calendar. Nyepi, the Balinese New Year celebrated in March/April, involves fasting, silence, and meditation. Vesak (April/May) is also celebrated to mark Buddha's awakening. Besides these national holidays, there are even more local festivals and special occasions that will be celebrated throughout the different calendar years.
History of Indonesia
The legacy of Indonesia's geographic location is illustrated in its rich and fascinating history. The Srivajaya Kingdom, which emerged in Sumatra and controlled the Strait of Malacca, were among the first major powers to colonise the region. Thanks to prosperous trading relations with India and China, the Kingdom quickly prospered. During the Syailendra dynasty's rule, iconic monuments such as the Borobudur Temple Compounds were erected. These enormous structures remain some of the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. The Majapahit Empire then rose to prominence, dominating much of the region. It was around these same times that Malacca's rulers converted to Islam and Chinese explorer Admiral Zheng also noted the presence of Chinese Muslims in Java. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, the combined influence of maritime trade Islam, and Chinese emigrants had a noticeable effect on the development of the region. Indonesian ports began converting to Islam, and the Aceh Sultanate spread their rule to the east coast of Sumatra. Due to the reign of Senopati, the kingdom of Mataram saw a slight revival of Hinduism, even though Islamic customs were more widely embraced. In 1511, the Portuguese attempted to gain a foothold in the area by settling in Malacca. However, despite this occurrence, Islam had a deep-reaching impact and was even accepted by the Dutch. In the 17th century, the Dutch ousted the existing powers in Indonesia. To control Indonesia's trade, the Dutch East India Company was set up in 1602. Building on what is now Jakarta, Batavia was established in 1619. With this, the Company rose as a significant trader in the area and, as the 17th century went by, they slowly gained increasing power. By the end of the 18th century, the Dutch East India Company secured binding agreements in the Moluccas, South Sulawesi, and the eastern part of Java. Nevertheless, the Company eventually reached bankruptcy. In 1799, the government of the Netherlands took control of their domains. From 1825 to 1830, the Javanese War was fought and led by Prince Diponegoro, though it ended in failure against the Dutch. In the 19th century, the Dutch extended their control throughout the country and quelled a number of conflicts in Bali, finally subduing it in 1906. The Aceh War of 1873 ended in 1904 after Dutch forces brought Aceh into their control. This was the same period in which Queen Wilhelmina (1880-1962) launched the Dutch Ethical Policy, a colonial program based around education, irrigation and emigration. One of the most important nationalist movements to emerge during this time was Budi Utomo (translating as 'prime philosophy'), which was founded in 1908 and aimed to provide modern education to Indonesians. As it was the first autonomous indigenous political organisation of the nation, it is regarded by many as the spark that ignited the organised nationalist movement. Sarekat Islam was then established in 1912 by Javanese traders, and quickly grew to have a significant following. During the aftermath of World War I, Communist beliefs gained ground, culminating in 1927 when the Indonesian Nationalist Association, which would later become the Indonesian Nationalist Party, was formed under the leadership of Sukarno. Unfortunately, nationalists were harshly suppressed by the Dutch government over the next decade until the Japanese came into the archipelago in January 1942, leading to the surrender of the last Dutch troops in March. By 1945, the Japanese had surrendered, and the proclamation of Indonesian independence followed on August 17th. After being in exile, Sukarno came back to become the nation's first president. However, the Dutch were determined to cling onto power, leading to lengthy conflicts until finally the Republic of the United States of Indonesia (RIS) was recognised in December 1949. Not long afterwards, rebellion began in both Java and Maluku, resulting in a unitary state replacing the RIS. Sukarno enhanced his own authority at the expense of parliament, and this became known as 'guided democracy'. Troubles with Malaysia continued throughout the early 60s, while the USA's involvement in Vietnam caused a realignment of Indonesia. 1966 saw the forced transfer of power from Sukarno to military General Suharto due to an attempted coup. Suharto's dictatorship brought about greater stability for the region and saw the reintegration of international institutions such as the UN, World Bank, and IMF. In 1975, Indonesian forces invaded East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, that had declared its independence. After years of tension, East Timor was successfully granted independence in 2002. This was shortly after Indonesia experienced a financial crisis in the late 1990s, causing mass riots and leading to the resignation of President Suharto in May 1998. Elections soon followed, marking the first democratic poll since 1955. During the new millennium, the financial stability of Indonesia improved, and since then this nation has seen steady economic growth.
Policy in Indonesia
Indonesia is a Presidential Republic, wherein the president is chosen by direct, universal suffrage, and is then limited to two consecutive five-year terms. Their roles include setting national policies, appointing the government, and serving as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. As such, they are the true executives of the country. Legislative power is jointly produced between the presidency and the parliament, consisting of two bodies; the People's Representative Council (DPR), which has 550 members elected for five-year terms, and the Representative Council of Regions (DPD), whose members hold a five-year term with a limitation of one-third the total number of DPR representatives. The Supreme Court acts as the foundation of the judiciary.
Famous Indonesians
Sukarno (1901-1970)
Sukarno, born Koesno Sosrodihardjo, is revered as a pioneer for independence from the Netherlands and fondly remembered as one of the fathers of Indonesia. He was the first President of the nation, and his legacy endures.
Abdurrahman Wahid (1940-2009)
Known as Gus Dur, Wahid was a respected and influential figure in opposition to the cruel regime of Suharto, eventually ascending to the position of President of Indonesia from 1999 to 2001. His legacy in the Muslim world will forever remain, as he was an enlightened and intelligent thinker who took part in various philosophical dialogues in the international arena. Honourably, Wahid was also a translator of Sartre's works in the Indonesian language.
Raden Adjeng Kartini (1879-1904)
Kartini, the daughter of Javanese aristocracy, was a role model and leader in the fight for education of Indonesian women and their rights. Today, her birthday is honoured as a national holiday called Kartini Day.
Rudy Hartono (born 1949)
Hartono is renowned as one of the greatest badminton players of all time, having bagged seven victories at the All-England Championships, one at the World Championships, and four titles at the Thomas Cup (Davis Cup badminton).
Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913)
Alfred Russel Wallace, a renowned British naturalist, geographer and anthropologist, famously developed a theory of evolution based on his analysis of biogeography. Named after him, the 'Wallace Line', which marks the distinct border between the two distinct ecozones of Asia and Australasia, passes through Indonesia.
Etiquette
Tipping in Indonesia is down to individual preference, with service charges usually added to bills. If the service has gone beyond expectations, however, leaving some more can be a nice way to show your appreciation. You can tip in Indonesian rupiah - for a guide and driver, somewhere in the region of 50,000 to 100,000 rupiah is a suitable amount. Make sure to hand the tips directly to the person they are for and, if necessary, have separate envelopes for each of them. Taxi drivers should receive around 10,000 to 30,000 rupiah depending on the length of journey and how helpful they have been. For other service personnel the amount you give as a tip can differ depending on the local economy - use the price of a local beer or cup of tea as a reference for how much is considered fair in the area. Alternatively, you can use the average monthly gross salary in Indonesia (around £216) as a guide. Life in Indonesia is marked by an aura of calmness and harmony, but it is important to keep in mind the cultural nuances that make the nation so unique. Avoid conversation with hands on hips, as this can be interpreted as confrontational. Rather than pointing with an index finger, use the whole hand or thumb instead. PDA is considered taboo in public, and you should dress modestly day to day, particularly when visiting places of worship, such as mosques, where you should cover your arms and legs. It is also polite to take off your shoes before entering religious buildings or someone's home. When taking photos, always take the time to ask permission before snapping away. Certain public buildings might be off-limits too, so do your due diligence and make sure you can take pictures. The most important thing is to be polite, patient and friendly as the people in Indonesia are known for their hospitality and will be happy to help you out if you're unsure. Also, don't forget to put yourself in holiday mode and take the time to soak in the stunning scenery; don't let a tight schedule rush you through the country.
Shopping
Indonesian handicrafts make for a truly mesmerising shopping experience. From exquisite silver jewellery to Chinese porcelain, they offer something for every kind of shopper. Not to mention, the batik and ikat designs that make for stunning fabrics. Plus, the market-led buying makes it easier to get your hands on the best of what Indonesia has to offer, often at discounted prices. It's not just the shopping options that make this such an exciting place to shop, the artisan villages on the outskirts of the cities offer a unique chance to carry a piece of Indonesian culture back with you.
Food in Indonesia
Indonesian cuisine is a true feast for the senses, featuring various elements that reflect the complex cultural influences that play an integral role in its history. From fish and rice, to vegetables, fruits and spices, Indonesian cooking is sure to tantalise the taste buds. Nasi Padang, for instance, is a white rice dish made up of multiple ingredients, unique to each individual cook. Gulai kambing is a tasty lamb stew with coconut milk, and rendang offers a hot and spicy experience comprising of beef and an array of spices infused with coconut milk. In short, trying Indonesian food is sure to be an unforgettable experience. In Java, a delicacy of stir-fried water spinach, water chestnut and shrimp paste will tantalise your taste buds. Then there's Ayam goreng, deep fried chicken served with a variety of accompaniments. The bustling infrastructure of the cities like Denpasar, Sanur and Kuta encompasses a wide array of cuisines, including French, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Indian and even Danish. Still, the local Balinese delicacies shouldn't be overlooked. The Island is renowned for its rijsttafel, a Dutch specialty of white rice with a medley of exquisite dishes and condiments. Another popular dish is the delectable Nasi Goreng, comprising of white rice, eggs, veggies and shrimps.
Drink in Indonesia
When travelling in Indonesia, visitors are advised to avoid drinking the local tap water. There is, however, no shortage of bottled water or thirst-quenching soft drinks for sale. Anyone looking for something a bit different may want to try a local delicacy like lassi, a refreshing and beautifully flavoured fermented milk drink originally from India. For beer fans, Indonesia offers two reliable brands: Bintang and Anker. Coffee is also popular throughout the country and ranges from pre-ground soluble coffee to potent cups of freshly brewed jasmine. However you prefer it, Indonesian coffee is guaranteed to impress.
