O R A R I
Organisasi Amatir
Radio Indonesia
Zone 28 Oceania
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INDONESIAN PEOPLE
Children in Indonesia, the world's fifth most populous nation.
The population of Indonesia continues to increase rapidly,
adding some 2.5 million persons annually, reflecting one of the
highest birthrates in Asia.
[Tony Stone Worldwide Photo Library]
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Indonesia has one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world. More than 300 distinct
groups are recognized. The largest is the Javanese, who constitute 40-50% of the total
population and form the majority on densely populated Java. Sundanese in western Java make up
about 15% of the total population, and the Madurese, on Madura, an estimated 5%. Smaller, but
regionally important, ethnic peoples include the BALINESE, BATAK, DAYAK, PAPUANS,
ACEHNESE (Achinese), and Toraja. The largest nonindigenous group is the Chinese,
constituting about 3% of the total population and living mainly in urban areas.
Language
The official language is Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian), which evolved from Pasar Malay, a dialect
widely spoken on Sumatra and used by traders in the islands. In addition, about 25 other
languages, most of Malayo-Polynesian origin, and more than 200 dialects are spoken locally,
including Acehnese, Batak, Sundanese, Madurese, and Balinese.
Hindu temples abound throughout the small island of Bali,
Indonesia -- in family courtyards, villages, and rural settings
(sacred slopes or lakeshores). They are frequently the focal
points of the Balinese rituals. Both the styles of the shrines
themselves and the traditional rites for which they provide the
setting are expressive of the reverence, beauty, and dignity
that are constantly present in Balinese life.
[Aztech New Media Corp.]
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Religion
Islam is the dominant religion in Indonesia today and is practiced by nearly 85% of the
population. Hinduism, widespread in the archipelago before the 14th century, is now practiced by
only 2% of the population, chiefly on Bali. About 8% are Christian, primarily Protestant; and
many Chinese follow Buddhist-Taoist teachings. Animist religions are followed by tribes in
remote areas.
The modern section of Jakarta, capital and largest city of
Indonesia, boasts skyscrapers that would be at home in any of
the major cities of the world. These up-to-date office towers
reflect the fact that only about 12% of the city's workforce
is engaged in manufacturing, the remainder being involved in
banking, investments, and other service industries.
[Archive Photos]
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Demography
Indonesia is the world's fifth most populous nation and continues to grow rapidly. About 64% of
the population is crowded onto the island of Java, where the density is nearly 700 persons per sq
km (1,800 per sq mi). Other islands, by contrast, are sparsely populated. The largest cities are
JAKARTA (the capital), BANDUNG, SURABAYA, Semarang, Malang, Surakarta, and
Yogyakarta, all of which are on Java, and Medan, on Sumatra.
Education & Health
Education is controlled primarily by the Ministry of Education and Culture. Compulsory
elementary-school education begins at age 6 or 7 and lasts for 9 years, followed by 3 years of
secondary-school education. The University of Indonesia (1950) at Jakarta and numerous other
institutions provide higher-education opportunities. Health facilities are limited, and many rural
areas are grossly underserved because at least 40% of the physicians are concentrated in
Jakarta.
These bas-relief carvings are from the Buddhist shrine (AD c.800)
at Borobudur in central Java, Indonesia, a unique example of
Buddhist temple architecture. The pyramidal monument is surrounded
by a circular stupa, consisting of eight levels with carvings
which illustrate scenes from the life of Buddha.
[Aztech New Media Corp.]
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The Arts
The Javanese are famous for BATIK, a cloth widely used for sarongs. It is imprinted with
intricate, elaborate designs by waxing and dyeing fabric. Indonesia is also known for SHADOW
PLAYS [Wayang], a popular art form used to instill moral values and for social comment. The Museum of
Indonesian Culture in Jakarta houses an extensive collection of early Indonesian ceramics.
Bibliography:
American University, Indonesia, A Country Study, 4th ed. (1983); Aveling, H., ed.,
The Development of Indonesian Society (1980); Booth, A., and McCawley, P., eds., The
Indonesian Economy During the Suharto Era (1981); Crouch, Harold, The Army and Politics in
Indonesia (1988); Drake, C., National Integration in Indonesia (1989); Green, M., Indonesia
(1991); Holt, Claire, et al., Culture and Politics in Indonesia (1988); Jenkins, D., Suharto and His
Generals (1985); Kahin, A., ed., Regional Dynamics of the Indonesian Revolution (1986);
McDonald, H., Suharto's Indonesia (1981); Mackie, J. A. C., Indonesia: The Making of a Nation
(1981); Peacock, James L., Indonesia: An Anthropological Perspective (1973); Reeve, D., Golkar
of Indonesia (1987); Ricklefs, M. C., A History of Modern Indonesia (1981); Stewart, I. C., and
Shaw, J., Indonesians: Portraits from an Archipelago (1984); Wild, C., and Carey, P., eds., Born
in Fire, The Indonesian Struggle for Independence (1988).
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