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What's so Indonesian about Indonesia anyway?
Julia Suryakusuma , Jakarta | Wed, 06/17/2009 1:21 PM | Opinion
According to the judges, our newly-crowned Miss Indonesia, Karenina Sunny Halim, won her title largely because she amazed them with her fl uent English - mighty handy, of course, for representing Indonesia at international forums.
Unfortunately, there's just one big catch when she's not representing Indonesia at international forums: She doesn't speak Indonesian, nor does she know much about Indonesian culture.
She's half-American, uses English on a daily basis, and when she does give Indonesian a go, she does so haltingly and with an American accent.
This is all rather strange - another entry for my bulging "Only in Indonesia" fi le. I mean, can you imagine a Miss America who doesn't speak English, a Miss Brazil who doesn't speak Portuguese or a Miss Japan who doesn't speak Japanese?
Yes, Karenina's "Lost in Translation" victory is exactly the sort of thing guaranteed to send Presidential candidate Megawati and her running mate, Prabowo Subianto, into meltdown.
Their Tweedledum-Tweedledee campaign now seems to be pinning its slender hopes of victory on a protect-your-traditional-culture drive. Mega says "the fl ow of globalization into Indonesia is so fast . if we don't protect our culture, one day we'll fall on our faces".
Prabowo cites the number of foreign malls in Indonesia, saying that the Japanese prefer Japanese malls, and that Walmart closed there after fi ve years.
That's proof of Japanese nationalism, he said, and Indonesians should do likewise. (Of course! haven't we always striven to emulate our northern brother in the Asian co-prosperity sphere?)
Okay, so let's see if their fears are founded. What is Indonesian culture and is it being invaded by aliens?
Let's start with food, something we all love. Here's a short list of Indonesia's most famous traditional dishes: Gado-gado (mixed boiled veggies in peanut sauce), satay (chicken, beef or lamb skewers in peanut sauce or soya-sauce with chili), rendang (tasty morsels of meat simmered for hours in coconut milk, spices and lots of chili), belado (sliced fried meat, shrimp or potatoes in a chili and tomato sauce), and lots and lots of tofu and tempe dishes. Yummy! Am I making your mouth water?
But stop! Are these dishes really "Indonesian"? Chili peppers are from the Americas; tomatoes are from South America; potatoes originated from the Andes; and peanuts are native to South America, Mexico and Central America.
Like it or not, without Christopher Columbus, that alien Western globalizer, our national cuisine wouldn't exist!
So what is left? Surely coconut milk, the basic ingredient of so many Indonesian dishes, is native? Guess again: Its origins are controversial, and some claim coconuts come from South Asia, but fossil records show that they're from New Zealand. And soybeans?
They are used to make the tempe and tofu so beloved of Indonesians that when the price of soybeans skyrocketed in 1997-1998 during the monetary crisis, and again as recently as 2008, Indonesians were screaming not for blood, but for beans. Well, sorry, soybeans are still primarily imported.
Yep, most of our "traditional" recipes are just a complex blend of cultural infl uences: Chinese, Indian, Arab, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese and Anglo.
Even our world-famous Indonesian Rijsttafel (rice table), a banquet of many dishes, was a Dutch colonial creation. Do you think that the average "inlander" (native) would have had the time and money to enjoy such a luxury?
They say you are what you eat, but what about what comes out of our mouths? Bahasa Indonesia is also a product of imports, including Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, Chinese, Japanese, Tamil, Dutch, Portuguese and English.
In fact, there are so many loanwords from other languages (look up Wikipedia's entry on Loan words in Indonesian) that a book containing 20,000 of them, Russell Jones' Loan Words in Indonesian, was recently published.
What about what we believe? Hinduism and Buddhism, the two oldest religions in Indonesia, were brought in by Indian traders. Islam is from the Middle East, brought here by a host of ethnicities, including Gujarati traders and Chinese merchants.
The Portuguese brought Catholicism with them, and the Dutch Protestantism, while Confucianism came with Chinese merchants and immigrants. So, is there any native Indonesian belief system? Yes, animism, which everyone - from Muslims to Christians - has tried to marginalize.
How about clothing? Well, it's mainly Western, while traditional costumes have long been infl uenced by Chinese, Indian and (especially nowadays!) Arab cultures. Even the peci, the black cap that Sukarno and hundreds of others after him wear as a symbol of nationalism, is a take on the Turkish fez.
I could go on about theatre, dance, music, technology - and don't even get me started about our economic and political system - but it seems pretty clear that Indonesian cultures (yes, it's plural!) are a long-simmering stew of foreign infl uences.
And this is because Indonesia has always been a globalized society at a crossroads of nations, straddling as it does the sea lanes between India and China.
Our cities have thus always been entrepots, so it's hardly surprising that our communities are still syncretic and eclectic - a giant archipelagic bourse for cultures, religions and ideas.
Globalization is neither new nor scary, and certainly not a product of modernity. History, fi lled with conquests, commerce and (religious) conversions, has for centuries produced hugely successful globalized entrepots like Rome, Alexandria, Venice, Ottoman Istanbul ... and Jakarta.
Gado-gado without peanuts, sambal without chili, tempe without soybeans? Unimaginable right? In fact, without globalization and foreign infl uences, Indonesia itself is unimaginable.
We wouldn't have any of the offi cially-recognized religions, we wouldn't be speaking Bahasa Indonesia, and we'd have no coffee (from Ethiopia) or tea (from China) to chat over (our national pastime), and no stinky kreteks to smoke while doing so (tobacco is from America).
Even Balinese dancing girls would be unable to dance the (Indian) Ramayana or Mahabharata tales. And they couldn't even wear frangipani in their hair, either because that quintessentially tropical fl ower is - you guessed it! - another Latin America import.
So maybe Karenina is just another expression of our gloriously globalized and diverse community, and not so "un-Indonesian" after all? As for Mega-Pro, would someone be so kind as to give them a free lesson in globalization and the cultural history of our not-so traditional country?
The writer is the author of Julia's Jihad.
What's On
- Franchise & Business Concept
11/13/2009 11/15/2009 Jakarta Convention Center - Indonesia Furniture Fair
11/14/2009 11/22/2009 Jakarta Convention Center - Indonesia Maternity & Baby Expo 2009
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- Festival of India
10/29/2009 12/15/2009 Balai Kartini & Umar Ismail Hall, Jakarta
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10/08/2009 11/12/2009 Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Tel. 5241069) - Power of the Shape. Sculpture exhibition by Dolorosa Sinaga
10/29/2009 11/15/2009 Kendra Gallery of Contemporary Art, Bali Until Nov. 15 Jl. Drupadi No.88B, Basangkasa Seminyak, Bali - The Erased Time: Solo exhibition by FX Harsono
11/01/2009 11/14/2009 Galeri Nasional Indonesia, Central Jakarta
Andre Kristiandi (not verified) — Fri, 06/26/2009 - 8:45am
Let me add something on here, after reading Gandasputra, Edward D. and Abhishek comments everyone is entitled to his or her observations and experiences. Neither is right or wrong. But I believe that GANDASPUTRA has truly missing the point !!
I have been to India and not so impressed by it all never mind the 2000 years old cultural history between both countries... This is not what's all about and therefore I am also able to compare with PRESENT DAY FACTS and experiences. Do I need to say more?
Futhermore, I have seen some Indians coming to Indonesia to work or do business and treat Indonesians as if they are beneath them in the work force or in the living/neighborhood situation. And above all making remarks in comparing that India is much better organized than in Indonesia. Then why is India as a nation still struggling that their citizens are looking for jobs elsewhere?? What's so shameful about that? I see a facade of insecurity somewhere or is it just a cultural thing. Everybody can see the progress India is making "GREAT" so let it be instead of rubbing it in people's face.
And it is unfortunate for the Indonesian mentality from all walks of life, and from different education level to look at Indonesians in GENERAL like a book cover instead of what's inside them and their potential knowledge. There is a saying "don't judge a book by its cover". And don't you think that anyone who has written here understand what's "cari muka" really means??? Again you are truly missing the point.
Gandasputra (not verified) — Wed, 06/24/2009 - 6:03pm
Dear Edward, you are neither Indonesian or Indian, so please don't pretend to be in a position to understand and know the similarities between Indonesian and Indian culture which has been twined for 2000 years. If we need some feedback about the French we may ask you,
As regards the Miss Indonesia title, Look why are we getting so complicated. Its extremely simple, its so simple we are looking at it in the face literally so.Indonesia wants to have face, we feel shy being totally Indonesian on a world platform. That is the reason so many Indo (mixed) model make it to the sinetron. We feel more uplifted and equal to the west when we have mixed blood. Its shameful, but true
The reason why the judges selected this girl is also that simple. She speaks English, so she may look impressive on a foreign platform. so lets send someone who will look nice there. It may have perhaps missed the judges that this is not Indonesia.
Its cari muka on a global platform at all costs.
MyLady (not verified) — Tue, 06/23/2009 - 6:57pm
Ibu Julia, I am confused reading the article. Are you arguing in defense of The Judges of Miss Indonesia or are you denouncing them as not having enough pride for Bahasa Indonesia ?
But I agree with you that Mega-Pro have been abusing the issue of national Pride and Dignity throughout their campaign. Someone needs only to ask them, when did the last time they have complete medical check up at a local hospital instead of Mount E in Singapore ,and whether they ride a Toyota Kijang - which bears some local ingenuity in it - instead of Toyota Alphard ?
Edward K. (not verified) — Tue, 06/23/2009 - 6:03pm
After reading Abhishek's comments;I am a bit taken back by his/her comparison between India and Indonesia. The writer sees deep similarities. And I certainly don't see it the same way.
First of all, Indonesia does not have 1 billion people roaming on its sprawling archipelago.
Second of all, There are indeed poor people in Indonesia and certainly not in extreme poverty such as in India where they desecrate or sleeping on the streets among cows and other animals in urban cities. Statistically some 250 million plus people live in poverty in India that's more than the entire population of Indonesia.
Third of all, Indonesia is a bit more organized in some respect where one does not need to argue, demand something and expect less when doing business.
So would it be unfair and politically incorrect to compare India and sub sahara African nations for instance? But nevertheless, I am sure India is a great place to visit, lots of cultural sights to see, to understand and to appreciate its culture, land and its people.
And for Miss Julia, I certainly don't understand her views and are we to expect a punch line with all the comparison about what Indonesia has inherited from the past and far away places to become what it is today.
Bottom line Indonesia is a melting pot of civilization, culture, and people whom all have landed on the islands. And let's not forget organized religions from the Middle East brought to Indonesia via trade and missionaries which made it more interesting to say the very least.
As for Miss crowned Indonesia; I don't blame her but her parents for not making her speak Indonesian enough and learn as much of the culture since she is living in Indonesia for god sake. My first language was French then eventually English. And second of all I was not brought up in Indonesia but at least my parents spoke and made me learn Indonesian at home. My parents taught me the culture, history and the reasoning behind it why one must be proud of his/her own roots. Even though, I still feel very much French inside me.
Jeremy James (not verified) — Tue, 06/23/2009 - 12:15pm
The fact that polititians are using this as a way to try and muster votes is hardly surprising. The last refuge of the scoundrel is patriotism. This should be perfectly obvious from any country's political leaders.
Is Indonesian culture in danger? Only in so far as people can be influenced to see themselves as being purely 'of' their native culture to the extent that they try to exclude others. The basic point being that it is only by opening a culture to external eyes that it becomes better defined. Bali has had to do this for over a hundred years.
Yes Indonesia will change and no doubt this will have a dramatic impact on the 'cultures' of Indonesia - by culture I mean all meaningful acts. While there may come a point where warungs no longer operate in the streets you might find a new breed of exclusive Indonesian restaurants opening up. This is what has happened in other countries as societies have become more influenced by outside cultures. Yet, as this indicates, culture will always find a way becaus it is implicated in the actions of ordinary people every single day.
Death of an Indonesian culture? You've obviously never been to a gathering of expat Indonesians in the UK Pak Subianto!
Rev. (not verified) — Tue, 06/23/2009 - 10:10am
I have a hard time following the general arguments from this article. If the crowning of Karenina fits into her list of "Only in Indonesia", which I takes this to have negative connotation, why would the rest of the articles support our new Miss Indonesia?
I do agree with the general argument that her crowning is indeed an expression of an increasingly global community. However, it is also important to stress that as Miss Indonesia, she will represent Indonesian culture and hence, need to know what it means to be an Indonesian. I'm not an expert in linguist but to me, language is an important part of a cultural identity. How a nation uses words to communicate truly represents the culture in that nation.
Let me give an example. Anybody who tries to explain the meaning of "dong", "deh", "lah" to a foreigner can certainly appreciate how difficult it is to find an English term that has exactly the same meaning, yet can be used in may expressions. Yes, it can mean "Let's go", but the true meaning is somehow lost in translation. To me, these words represent part of Indonesian culture that's a lot of times doesn't take themselves seriously. So does the use of "plesetan" to twist the meaning of a formal word into something else. Even though Malay language is very similar to Bahasa Indonesia, I don't think they use any of these words the same way we do.
So to accurately represent Indonesia, the ability to speak Bahasa definitely needs to be one of the major criteria in selecting Miss Indonesia. To borrow the expression from Kung Fu Panda, it's the "missing ingredients" of Indonesian culture.
MINKx (not verified) — Tue, 06/23/2009 - 3:11am
Are you kidding me or what? It's called "MISS INDONESIA" for a reason. It's not called "MISS GLOBALIZATION" for goodness sake. MISS INDONESIA means she MUST represent Indonesia, whose country, (almost) EVERYONE speaks Indonesian and know (or experience) their own culture. On those two basis, she is so not qualified already. How can the majority of people of Indonesia relate to her? This is a joke. It shows clearly that maybe Indonesia is a country without (or lack) of self-identity.
Fbloem (not verified) — Mon, 06/22/2009 - 3:39pm
The writer sounds has lots of informations but it's a shame that she/he doesn't think it more deeply.
Yes, chilli peppers are from the Americas, tomatoes are from South America, potatoes originated from Andes bla bla bla...so what?
it doesn't matter, we are living in this world and we need each other and we share with each other.
But i have never found sop kaki ayam(chicken legs soup with potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, celerys, cabages ), sop buntut in South America or Sambal bajak, sambal ulek, sambal balado in America(except made in Indonesian), or lotek or pecel, or nasi rawon, soto ayam, why not? they have those ingredients right?
in holland, they sale sambal oelek, tjendol, bumbu rendang, etc...the taste isn't the same, very far from nice compared with food near the street in Indonesia made by abang abang.
people in Holland knows that sambal is so Indonesian, even if they go to chinese restaurant, the chinese used that word too.. "sambal bij?"(with sambal?) with chinese accent.
It is more how we do it as Indonesian, we do thing different. it's logic, every country has their own way to do things, it became their rituals and cultures.
And before columbus were there, china made an expedition in 1412 to explore the world. And china has brought lots of new things from America, south America and then china went also to explore India, Malaysia, Indonesia even Australia.
Ayy the languages, all countries has/had the some problem. Do you think dutch language is just a language from God? nope, it came from france, german, english, spain ..etc but that is not the point, the point is that we are as a human being need to adapt to each other, try to find a good or easier manner to communicate.
This article is like a mad child..like a girl says to her gf, ohh you are not pretty at all actually, because that blouse is mine, that lipstick is from your friend, those shoes are mine too... with another words, you are nothing... pffff... too simple! I expect more from you than this!
About that miss Indonesia, it's more like I eat sambal made in Holland. it's spicy but I miss lots of taste in this sambal. Thats it!
She doesn't speak Indonesian, Ok..she can learn but does she knows how it feel for being an Indonesian? can she explain that?
Supriyadi (not verified) — Mon, 06/22/2009 - 2:15pm
I think the writer should bear in mind that even though Indonesian culture has some influences from other culture and though some ingredients of our food may not originally from our land, it is still Indonesian people who mix these influences and create something different. I mean lets just think even though peanuts are from South America would we find satay or gado-gado there? so if you ask what so Indonesian about Indonesia ? I think the answer would be the people's creativity and their original idea. Our creativity and idea are the ones that make the different.
Djaka (not verified) — Mon, 06/22/2009 - 2:07pm
The only small problem with this Karenina brouhaha is that she is representing Indonesia NOW. Not 100 years ago, not 600 years ago, and even 1500 years ago. Everybody wants to learn Indonesia as is, not as was. I can even imagine that Miss USA who cannot speak English - even when she speaks Spanish - will cause the same case too.