Today I just arrived in Indonesia, after a very long 24 hours, and I’m pooped. My name is Matthew
McDole. I’m on a mission to discover the world of the Indonesian’s. Their way of life their customs,
religions, and government etc… Indonesia is south of china. West of Papua New Guinea, Just north of
Australia, right off Malaysia.
The Indonesian’s mostly practice the religion of Muslim, actually 88% practice Muslim. 8%
practice Christianity and 2% practice Hindu. Most of the Chinese people practice Buddhism. In fact
Indonesia holds the worlds largest populated area of Muslims. Muslims express their faith by professing
the name of Allah and Muhammad as their prophet; praying five times a day, daily. Fasting during the
holy month of Ramadam donating to the poor and making a pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, if they
can afford it. They also do not drink alcohol or eat pork.
The Indonesian’s have a democratic republic. A democratic republic is a government where one
branch makes the laws. While the other branch enforces the laws (both separate) the representative makes
the laws, and the president and vice president enforce them. The current leaders of Indonesia are V.P.
Mejawti Sukarhoputri and the president Abdurrahman Wahid. The youngest age you can vote is at 17.the
gross national product (GNP) is 730 and growing annually at 1.6. One of the staple foods in Indonesia is rice. They eat a lot of rice with most of their dishes. A
would consist of rice, beef, chicken. Beef would be cooked with garlic. Carrots, green beans, and corn is
what would be their vegetables, potatoes and coconut milk is used to cook must of their meals.
Indonesia hold about 224 million people growing annually at 1.6% 12 million live on the states
capital Jakarta. Java holds 60% of the countries people. Indonesi8a is home to 350 distinct ethnic groups;
many have their own language and most have their own customs and heritage. Yet Indonesian’s motto is
bhinneka tunggal ika ( they are many; they are one). The largest groups are Javanese (45%), Sundanese
(14%), madurese (8%), costalmalays (8%), and Chinese (2%). The remaining 23 percent belong to
smaller groups.
Over 100 million speak Javanese. Assalamu Alaikum= (peace be upon you). Allah means god.
Wa’aliakum salaam= (peace be upon you). Bagaimana kabarnya= (how is your news). You would most
likely answer that with dari mann= (where are you coming from).
Indonesians usually shake hands when greeting, although the style of hand shake may very by
religion. Muslim men may fallow a hand shake by touching their heart to show friendship. Women often
brush cheekes when greeting.
Indonesians celebrate new years Jan 1st. Easter, ascension, lebarean, or idul. Fitri (a feast at the
end of ramadam). independence day Aug 17th. .
Middle class Indonesians have private cars, but others use public transportation: trains, taxis,
buses, and pedicabs. A passenger agrees on a fair before getting in. buses are crowded and urban areas are
very bad. Rural people travel by motorcycle, bicycle, or by foot. Traffic moves on the left side of the road.
Well I’ve had a great time here at Indonesia. I’ve came here to study and fide the ways of the
Indonesian’s, to discover the world of the Indonesian’s, and I’ve got the most out of this experience and
have learned a great deal about them. And I hope you get what you expect out of my journey to Indonesia.
I hope you would go to visit this beautiful place it’s a very good place to go for vacation if you
and the Misses heeded to get away or the family wanted to go for a family trip.
I had a great time here its nice rural and urban place its very beautiful place to go to take pictures
I loved it here and the trip I’m Matthew McDole.
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