The People: Language, Clothes, Food, and House

The People: Language

The official language of Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia, but more than 700 local languages and dialects are spoken across the archipelago.
Bahasa Indonesia is a standardized version of Malay, used for national and political purposes, education, mass media as well as communication across different ethnic groups.
Many Indonesians are bilingual, often speaking their ethnic group language or dialect as well as Bahasa Indonesia.
Older generations in particular may be able to speak Dutch due to Indonesia’s colonial history.

Traditional Indonesian dress varies greatly across regions. The Batik, a cloth typically worn as a Sarong, is one well-known example with distinctive patterns.
The Kebaya is a traditional blouse-dress combination often worn by women for special ceremonies or occasions.
The Baju Melayu, a traditional Malay attire, is often worn by men during formal occasions or religious celebrations.
Modern western-style clothing is also widespread, especially in urban areas and cities.

Indonesian cuisine is diverse, with rice as a staple, often accompanied by fish, meat, vegetables and a range of spices and flavours due to their rich trade history.
Satay, skewered and grilled meat, is a popular dish. It is usually served with rice or rice cakes and peanut sauce.
Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and Soto (soup) are other national dishes, served in various ways across the archipelago.
Sweet treats include Kue (cakes) and Pisang Goreng (fried bananas).

Traditional Indonesian houses differ by region, typically built with local materials and designed to suit each region’s climate and environment.
The Rumah Panjang (Longhouse) in Borneo is communal housing traditionally for tribes, while the Rumah Joglo of Java is distinctive for its roof design resembling a mountain.
In Bali, houses are usually within a compound, with separate structures for cooking, sleeping, and storing rice.
Increasingly, modern housing styles akin to western styles are prevalent, particularly in urban areas and cities.