Paying Homage to the King of Banawa: Sulawesi

November 5th, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

Bearing gifts, a group of Tobaku and Sarudu traditional leaders approached the house of Datu Wajar Lamarauna, son and heir of the late king, Adam Ardjad Lamarauna. As per custom, the gifts included betel nut, a sack of rice, 14 eggs, four black and white chickens and a white cow.

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Tana Toraja: South Sulawesi

November 4th, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

Let’s get this out of the way first: Tana Toraja is not a suitable holiday destination for any of the following: committed vegetarians, animal rights activists, or anyone with a pressing sense of their own mortality. But if you like your meat, don’t get squeamish at the sight of trussed-up pigs on their way to slaughter, and have no problems with a few skeletons, then the green hills of South Sulawesi are for you. The elegant tongkonan houses that sit like boats on a green sea play a central role in Torajan culture. They can neither be bought nor sold (although apparently they can be dismantled and sold in pieces to those wanting to take home a souvenir.

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The ‘Phinisi’ Schooner

September 21st, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

Undoubtedly, it is difficult enough to sail a Phinisi schooner that hails from Tanah Beru, Bulukumba regency, South Sulawesi, around the globe.

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Tojo Una-Una Relies on Togean Islands: Central Sulawesi

August 21st, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

Strategically located in the heart of Tomini Bay, Tojo Una-Una regency in Central Sulawesi is rich in marine and tourism potential. In this regency, which was first established on Dec. 18, 2003, one can find at least 56 large and small islands known as the Togean Islands, which stretch for some 90 kilometers.

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Tana Toraja: South Sulawesi

August 10th, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

The straps of my backpack cut into my shoulders and my legs ached as I struggled up the last steep rise through the pine trees.
Ahead of me lay another two days of walking along 50 kilometers of mountain track, and I began to wonder if this was a good idea. As the ground levelled and a cooling breeze ran in, a heartening view opened in both directions.

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Neglected Prehistoric Remains: Central Sulawesi

July 21st, 2007 | By Barrie | No Comments »

Famed for its flora and fauna, Lore Lindu National Park in Central Sulawesi is also home to prehistoric remains. Many megalithic statues, which, according to research, are estimated to be 2,000 years old, can be found in the park which spans as far as the eye can see.

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The Performance of Calon Arang: Indonesia

December 12th, 2006 | By Wombat | 1 Comment »

I noticed on my travels in the archipelago recently there was much emphasis in the media on a production of Calon Arang – a legend of Indonesia and adopted as sacred by the Balinese.
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Indonesians in Focus: Chan Umar

December 11th, 2006 | By Wombat | No Comments »

The types of handicrafts available and produced in Indonesia is almost countless with some of the most creative artists in the world working their magic in their respective field.
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Big Cultural Festivals Planned: West Sumatra, Indonesia

December 6th, 2006 | By Wombat | 1 Comment »

West Sumatra seems the place to be this month if traditional and cultural festivals are your interest as Syofiardi Bachyul Jb reports.
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Image of the Day: Palace Guards - Kraton: Yogyakarta, Central Java, Indonesia

December 2nd, 2006 | By Wombat | 3 Comments »

Whenever you visit the Sultan’s Palace, or Kraton, in Yogyakarta you will inevitably see the palace guards all around the grounds keeping a watchful eye on daily happenings.
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