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