Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
Jakarta is a city of contrasts - ethnic, economic, cultural and religious. Its history dates from 1527 and, for most of that date until after World War II, it was a Dutch colony. This connection to Holland adds to the very complex environment that makes up the city.
The visitor to Jakarta will soon see the contrasts that make up the lives of residents of this capital of Indonesia. Like any large city its population of ten million is made up of rich and poor. Its relation to international politics is extremely complex and the visitor would do well to consult an appropriate embassy to determine the level of political unrest in the country that could affect the suitability of a tourist visit.
After deciding to visit Jakarta, enjoy yourself. It has much to offer. One place to start your tour of the city could be the Ragunan Zoo. It is as familiar as any zoo in the world and, at the same time, its animal population is as unique as the city and country itself. Founded in 1964 it has prided itself as a center of conservation and has had some success in breeding animals such as the indigenous Komodo Dragon. The Java tiger and the orangutan are other examples of Indonesian animals to which the zoo has placed special attention.
A deep appreciation of the history of Jakarta, Indonesia and South Asia can be found at the Central Museum. Founded by Dutch intellectuals in 1778, its collection now contains artifacts and exhibits from the Stone Age to modern times. Its numismatic collections are second to none and contain coins and cloth currency that until recently were still used on the Indonesian archipelago. If your interests turn more toward philately, the Stamps Museum at Taman Mini would be your next stop.
A museum that offers a look at the more traditional culture of Indonesia is the Wayang (Puppet) Museum. Wayang is the traditional art of shadow puppetry where the puppets are lit from behind and reflected as silhouettes on a screen facing the viewer. In one form or another this shadow puppet art spread from South Asia through Turkey and even into Greece where the art of the Karogoz can sometimes still be found.
The annual Jakarta Fair in June and July will also provide you with an opportunity to see modern Jakarta meet its more traditional roots. Partly an exhibition of consumer and electronic goods, partly a place for traditional arts and crafts to be shown, and partly a place for rock concerts for the younger among us, the Fair is a good place to see the variety the city has to offer.
The Jakarta music scene is quite active. Rock and jazz are staples of the city's culture and the music of the gamelan, although a traditional music instrument, has become familiar internationally through concerts and recordings. There is no substitute, however, for hearing this instrument played in its own surroundings.
Another way to appreciate the traditional Jakarta way of life - but only for the more adventurous among us - is to go to the Jalan Surabaya flea market. Bargaining is essential and, as with any flea market, bargains can be found. But you have to know your merchandise or else the bargain to be found is you rather than the goods being sold.
Jakarta has a lot to offer the tourist both of the old culture and of the new. Its history is one of colonial oppression and struggle for independence. It also has a history of religious and ethnic strife and human rights abuse. As with any visit to a complex environment, it takes time to understand and it takes understanding to appreciate. Hopefully your visit to Jakarta will contribute to that understanding.
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