Customs and

Traditions of

Indonesia

• Location: South-eastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean

• Capital: Jakarta • Population: 241,973,879 (July 2005 est.)• Ethnic Groups: Javanese 45%, Sundanese 14%,

Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays 7.5%, other 26% • Religions: Muslim 88%, Protestant 5%, Roman

Catholic 3%, Hindu 2%, Buddhist 1%, other 1% • Language: The official language of Indonesia is

known as Indonesian or 'Bahasa Indonesian'.

Marriage

Family

Marriage and Family • Women in rural areas of Indonesia are often

married by the time they are 20 years old.• People throughout the country have more

freedom to choose their own marriage partners than they had in the past, rural families are generally more involved than urban families are in the choice of their children's spouses, and men generally have somewhat more freedom in choosing their spouses than women have.

Marriage and Family

• Engagement is more than an agreement between the future bride and groom; it binds the two families. Members of the extended family often live under the same under the same roof or near one another.

General Etiquette Guidelines

•Food •Meeting and Greeting•Dining Etiquette

Food• Rice is the staple and is eaten at every meal in

Indonesia. • Vegetables, fish, and hot sauces are often

served with the rice; specific dishes vary according to the region.

• Tea and coffee are the most common drinks.• Many Indonesians eat with a spoon and fork.

Meeting and Greeting• A handshake is the most common greeting

accompanied with the word "Selamat".• Many Indonesians may give a slight bow or

place their hands on their heart after shaking your hand.

• If you are being introduced to several people, always start with the eldest or most senior person first.

Dining Etiquette• Wait to be shown to your place - as a guest you will

have a specific position. • Food is often taken from a shared dish in the

middle. You will be served the food and it would not be considered rude if you helped yourself after that.

• In formal situations, men are served before women. • Wait to be invited to eat before you start. • Eat or pass food with your right hand only.

Communication Styles• Indonesians are indirect communicators. This means

they do not always say what they mean. It is up to the listener to read between the lines or pay attention to gestures and body language to get the real message.

• Generally speaking Indonesians speak quietly and with a subdued tone. Loud people would come across as slightly aggressive.

• Indonesians abhor confrontation due to the potential loss of face. To be polite, they may tell you what they think you want to hear.

Recreation (sports)• Badminton and soccer are the most popular

sports in Indonesia, and many people play volleyball and tennis.

• Shadow-puppet theater is a traditional art, and performances are particularly common in rural areas and on special occasions. Other recreational activities include watching television and going to the cinema. Censorship is strict.