In Indonesia, people recognize three types of New Year celebration; the ‘regular’ New Year every January 1st, the Islamic New Year and Chinese New Year. This is because Indonesia is a huge melting pot of various ethnicities and cultures, so all of these three events are celebrated hugely. Unique New Year traditions in Indonesia are varied depending on who celebrate and where they celebrate them. Here is a look of unique New Year celebrations of the three New Years in Indonesia.

New Year in January

Generally, people in Indonesia celebrate New Year’s Eve by lighting up fireworks, blowing paper trumpets and joining New Year party that is usually held in hotels, restaurants, clubs, beaches or any places where huge mass of people can flock. The entertainments are mostly musical performance like the ever-present ‘dangdut’ concert, but in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, the New Year’s Eve performances also include traditional performances.

Chinese New Year

There are so many unique New Year traditions in Indonesia regarding Chinese New Year (or ‘Imlek’ according to locals). There are many traditions brought from China to Indonesia by many families, and even Chinese families who have already blended seamlessly with local life still maintain these traditions.

One unique tradition is eating a whole fish but only on one side, and he or she cannot flip the fish over to eat the fish meat on the other side. The fish will be kept to be eaten again on the next morning, symbolizing extra wealth and prosperity that will come next year. Therefore, whenever Chinese New Year approaches, fish price in various markets will be higher.

Chinese families will also avoid cleaning their houses during the New Year day, especially sweeping, because it is believed to ‘sweep out’ wealth and prosperity from their houses. They will also not eat porridge, as it is considered a bad luck since porridge is something poor people eat. Older people will hand out money to kids and youths in red envelopes, which are called ‘angpaw.’ Of course, some places become venues for Chinese dragon show or ‘barongsai.’

Islamic New Year

The majority of Indonesian people are Muslims, so there are many unique New Year traditions in various areas related to this particular celebration. In Makassar, South Sulawesi, housewives will ‘attack’ the markets and grocery stores to buy kitchen appliances such as bowls, buckets and basins; essentially anything that is used to contain something. This symbolizes hopes for prosperity and blessing. They can buy like five buckets or six basins in one purchase, which of course make the sellers happy.

In Java, Islamic New Year is on the same day with the first day of Javanese calendar, usually known as ‘Malam Satu Suro.’ At this time, people will go into all night praying and meditation, often with one day fasting. In Solo, people usually flock on the street to side parade of sacred white water buffalo from the Solo palace called Kyai Slamet. Meanwhile, in Yogyakarta, there is also parade where the participants showcase sacred relics from Yogyakarta palace.

In Sumedang, West Java, people do torch parade at night, while kids lit fireworks and fire crackers. Whatever unique New Year traditions in Indonesia, all have one purpose: to welcome the new year with better self, and try to be a better person for the whole year.

Modern Christmas traditions in Indonesia are similar to traditions in many countries. There are sermon, presents, family gatherings and Christmas dishes. However, Indonesia’s rich culture also contributes to some unique Christmas traditions in various areas. Here are some unique Christmas traditions in Indonesia that show heavy traditional influences.

The Nativity ‘Wayang’ Story

Wayang kulit, or Javanese shadow puppet, is used by the priest in Yogyakarta to retell the Nativity Story during Christmas sermon. The priest himself wears unique garb; his robe is combined with elements of traditional Yogyakarta garbs such as traditional head cover called ‘blangkon’ and batik. The language he uses is usually ‘kromo inggil’ or refined Javanese.

Stone Pig Roast

In Papua province, villagers will hold spectacular Christmas meal by roasting pigs, tubers and vegetables together in a makeshift oven from big stones that they put on the ground. The pigs and tubers are placed on banana leaves, and they are covered with stones to roast. This unique Christmas tradition in Indonesia will not make you see Christmas dinner the same way again.

Marbinda and Marhobas

For Batak people in North Sumatra, Christmas is the time to do Marbinda, or cattle slaughtering. The cattle are bought by joined money of several people who know each other, and they usually start saving money for this purpose week before Christmas. When Christmas morning comes, they start doing the Marhobas (this is the name of the slaughtering activity). The meat will be distributed for celebration purpose.

The Rabo-rabo Music

In Kampung Tugu area in Jakarta, there is a unique Christmas tradition called Rabo-rabo. This is conducted after Christmas sermon, in which people will play some traditional, upbeat music while walking around the neighborhood. At each house the musicians visit, people are expected to come out and join the group, and that happens until the last house is visited. Back home, family members will gather and slab some white powder on each other’s faces, as a symbol of purification. And then, the celebration continues with Christmas meal.

Manado Kunci Taon Parade

Kunci Taon parade in Manado, North Sulawesi, is another unique Christmas tradition in Indonesia that puts a new look on your usual Christmas parade. In this parade, people do not use typical Christmas garbs and decorations. Instead, they put on some garish, funny and weird costumes. The parade is held on the first week of January, but this is still considered as a part of Christmas tradition.

This parade is a closing part of the entire Christmas ritual in Manado, which usually starts from the 1st December. During those weeks, people go to sermon, pray, visit family members and pray for the dead relatives and friends at the cemeteries.

Bamboo Cannons in East Nusa Tenggara

Kids and youths in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, are delighted whenever Christmas is near, because on 24th December, they are allowed to stay up all night and play with friends. And instead of puny fireworks, they use traditional bamboo cannons to make some sounds. On Christmas morning, the sermon and celebration will start as usual (probably with some more bamboo cannons).
These unique Christmas traditions in Indonesia are definitely unlike anything you have ever seen. They prove Indonesia’s rich culture.

West Kalimantan or Borneo is a province where Chinese descendant population is the majority. Statistically, Chinese ethnics comprise more than 30% of the entire population, and Malay is number two with 26%. Therefore, it is not surprising if you can find a large Chinatown here, and Singkawang Chinatown is one of the largest areas in West Kalimantan.

Like many areas in West Kalimantan, Chinese culture is very prominent especially during Chinese celebrations, and various ethnics join the festive atmosphere when Chinese celebrations come. Otherwise, Chinatown is also a popular spot for locals and tourists to shop for various things, including cooking spices and tools, Chinese sweet treats and foods, traditional medicines, clothes, accessories and many more.

If you visit West Kalimantan, going to the Singkawang Chinatown is the best way to blend with the locals and experience the atmosphere of Chinese traditional market that does not change much since many years ago. Do not worry, as long as you take time to learn some Indonesian, you can communicate with the sellers here (although you may also hear some Pontianak Malay, Khek and Tiociu languages being thrown around you).

Culinary Feasts in Chinatown

Although there are so many things to see in Singkawang Chinatown, the best thing to try is of course the food. Here, you can find various street side vendors and peddlers selling Chinese foods; some authentic, and some are modified so they can be accepted by non-Chinese tongues. The prices are of course much cheaper than those dishes at fancy Chinese restaurants in Jakarta, and you get bonus of warm, lively interactions with locals.

Here are some much-recommended dishes to look for in Singkawang Chinatown:

• Bakcang

This is a favorite among Chinese and other ethnics alike in West Kalimantan. This food is steamed sticky rice mixed with chicken, dried prawn, peanuts and salted watercress. The flavor is rich and tasty, and the sticky texture from the sticky rice is both interesting and fulfilling.

• Jan

This is a kind of sweet, thick soup filled with gelatinous white and red balls made of starch flour. Jan is a favorite snack among various ethnics in and around the Chinatown, and kids especially love this.

• Gwek Pia

This is a type of traditional Chinese cake that is also locally known as Kue Bulan (Moon Cake). The cake is made of mung bean and slightly hard, and it is often served during special occasions such as Chinese New Year.

• Kwetiaw

This is a type of Chinese noodle with thin, wide strands made of flour and egg. There are several variations of this dish, such as fried kwetiaw, kwetiaw with broth, and kwetiaw siram (cooked kwetiaw poured with thick, viscous broth). The dish is served with vegetables, chicken, prawn or anything you can think of, and this is a popular lunch and dinner dish.

Also, do not forget to try refreshing drink made of Lidah Buaya (‘Crocodile Tongue’ or Aloe Vera). This drink is refreshing, healthy and made of one of West Kalimantan’s popular farm commodities.

Singkawang Chinatown is clearly a must-visit spot in West Kalimantan.