Tribes

How do you approach life?

There is a boulder obstructing the river, do you move it out of the way?

or

There is a boulder obstructing the river, do you let the water flow under it around it and in a couple of thousand years it will just be a pebble and get washed away.

 Confrontation vs. Inevitability

In general Indonesia as a whole sees life as an inevitable force and therefore the individual should “be” (exist, enjoy) as opposed to “do” (achieve, strive). Yet in this lies the contradiction, the conundrum of the conflicting undercurrent of Indonesia’s many tribes and social groups.

The reason has been influence, influence of religions, influence of foreign traders and influence of foreign occupiers. Indonesia’s answer lies below its national symbol of the Garuda, "Bhinneka Tunggal lka", Unity through Diversity.

As a tourist we are spoilt with this rich blend of culture and it is true opportunity to witness a blend of diversity and time. Plus we must be aware of our actions, not to confront situations in Indonesia as most of the local population will withdraw from you as they see you as aggressive and hostile not driven and focused.

The record of the history of the development of a culture and society is embodied in its mythology.

Who are the people of this diverse country?

The point of mythology or myth is to point to the horizon and to point back to ourselves: This is who we are; this is where we came from; and this is where we're going. J. Michael Straczynski 

Legends and Mythology Across the Archipelago

Click on the place to read the story passed down from generation to generation.

Sulawesi - Kera dan Ayam (Kera and the Chicken)

Papua - Buaya Ajaib (Magic Crocodile)

Maluku - Si Rusa dan Si Kulomang (The Deer and Si Kulomang)

Nusa Tenggara - Suri Ikun dan Dua Burung (Suri Ikun and Two Birds)

Kalimantan - Asal Usul Danau Lipan (Origin of the Lake Centipede)

Bali & Lombok - Asal Mula Selat Bali (Origin of the Bali Strait)

Java - Sangkuriang

Sumatra - Banta Seudang

The Ethnic diversity of the Indonesian People

The Javanese (41.7%) and Sundanese (15.4%) are the largest ethnic groups both calling home the island of Java.

Island Groupings showing ethnicity

The Balance of Peoples