| The culture of Indonesia has been shaped by a | | | | From 1963 to 1965, there was a rule by |
| long process of interaction and acculturation | | | | Indonesian government that ban western style |
| between original indigenous customs and a | | | | pop/rock'n'roll music. Members of the |
| myriad of foreign influences. As Indonesia is | | | | Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) or |
| located in the middle of ancient sea trading | | | | organizations related to PKI often attacked |
| routes between Far East and Middle East, much | | | | parties, musical shows/concert that feature |
| of daily practices and art forms have been | | | | western style music. |
| influenced by Hinduism, Buddhism, | | | | |
| Confucianism and Islam, especially in many | | | | On 1965, Koes Plus, a leading Indonesian pop |
| trading cities. Sometimes the cultural | | | | group in 1960s, 1970s and 1980s was thrown |
| mixture is very complex and has to be | | | | into the prison in Glodok, West Jakarta for |
| distinguished from the original. Examples | | | | playing western style music. After President |
| include the denomination of Hinduism, which | | | | Soekarno resigned and PKI disbanded, the rule |
| is now practiced by 93% of Balinese, known as | | | | was lifted. On 1970s, the Glodok prison was |
| Agama Hindu Dharma, the fusion of Islam with | | | | destroyed and turned into a large shopping |
| Hindu in Javanese Abangan belief, the fusion | | | | centre. Now, the centre of recording, |
| of Hinduism, Buddhism and animism in Bodha, | | | | production and distribution of modern |
| the fusion of Hinduism and animism in | | | | Indonesian pop and rock music is located at |
| Kaharingan, and many others. | | | | the new shopping centre in Glodok. |
| | | | |
| In art forms, the cultural mixture is also | | | | A very popular modern style of music is |
| noticeable. Puppet shows, known as wayang, | | | | Dangdut with an accompanying free dance |
| are a traditional theather show that were | | | | style, which was first surfaced in 1970s.The |
| used to spread Hinduism and Islam among | | | | popularity of dangdut in both young and old |
| villagers in Java. Javanese and Balinese | | | | Indonesian people has made it useful for |
| dances have stories about old Buddhist and | | | | political campaign. Keroncong is a music |
| Hindu kingdoms when they ruled Indonesia. | | | | genre that use guitar and ukulele as the main |
| Islamic art forms and architectures are | | | | musical instruments. This genre had its roots |
| prominently present in Sumatra, especially in | | | | in Portugal and brought to Indonesia by |
| the Minangkabau and Aceh regions. | | | | Portuguese traders in the 15th century.There |
| Furthermore, traditional art, music and sport | | | | is a traditional "Keroncong Tugu" music group |
| is mixed into a martial art form of Pencak | | | | in North Jakarta and other traditional |
| Silat, formerly used as a self defence. | | | | Keroncong music groups in Maluku, with strong |
| | | | influence from Portugese culture. |
| Western culture also influences that of | | | | |
| Indonesia, but mostly in modern arts, such as | | | | This music genre was popular in the first |
| in television shows, movies and songs. A | | | | half of 20th century, but now keroncong is |
| notable influence on Indonesian songs and | | | | considered "old people's" music. The most |
| movies is from India. A popular type of song | | | | revered keroncong composer is Gesang. Gesang |
| is the Indian-rhytmical dangdut, which is | | | | had received OISCA International award from |
| oftenly mixed with Arab and Malay folk music. | | | | Japan for his best song "Bengawan |
| | | | Solo".[citation needed] |
| Despite these high influences of foreign | | | | |
| cultures, some remote Indonesia regions still | | | | A more modern form of keroncong is called Pop |
| preserve uniquely indigenous culture. | | | | Keroncong with Hetty Koes Endang as one of |
| Indigenous ethnic groups of Mentawai, Asmat, | | | | the most versatile singers. In addition, |
| Dani, Dayak, Toraja and many others are still | | | | there are regional variations such as Langgam |
| practising their ethnical rituals, customs | | | | Jawa, which is most popular in Central Java |
| and wearing their traditional clothes. With | | | | and Yogyakarta. |
| more than 300 ethnic groups and a long | | | | |
| history of foreign cultural mixtures, | | | | Completely different is the soft Sasando |
| Indonesia has a rich cultural diversity. | | | | music from West Timor in the province of East |
| | | | Nusa Tenggara. Sasando is an instrument made |
| Indonesia is culturally diverse and is home | | | | from a leaf of the lontar palm. It bears some |
| to hundreds of forms of music, with those | | | | resemblance to a harp. |
| from the islands of Java, Sumatra and Bali | | | | |
| being the most frequently recorded.The | | | | In West Java popular musical styles include |
| traditional music from Central/East Java and | | | | Angklung, played with bamboo instruments and |
| Bali is the Gamelan. | | | | Degung. |
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