Image Source: Google
☼ Indonesian Independence Day: How We Celebrate It ☼
Hello guys~! Lookup again here :3 In this blog I will discuss something special for each country and its citizens. Yup, independence day~!. In August, many countries celebrate their independence day, such as Pakistan, India, South Korea, etc, and of course my beloved country, Indonesia. So the subject on this blog is about Indonesian independence day, especially about how Indonesian commemorate and celebrate independence day. Happy reading~!
"Indonesian National Anthem - Indonesia Raya"
Video Source: Youtube @jamesblitz90
Every citizen must have distinctive characteristics and unique way to celebrate the independence day of their country. No exception with Indonesian. Indonesia with diverse cultures, races and religions, has its own way of celebrating the Independence Day which falls on every 17 August. Yeah, I'm late in writing this blog, I should have written before 17th :D but since I've just had an idea about it after that day, so, whatever. I will explain a common things that Indonesian do in commemorating and celebrating the independence day below:
Independence Day Ceremony
When independence day come, each country would hold the independence day ceremony. It is no different with Indonesia, the independence day ceremony will be held in the morning which is usually performed by students from elementary school through high school. They usually will gather in a field to hold independence day ceremony.
"Independence day ceremony in state palace"
Image Source: Google
The main independence day ceremony or at the national level usually will be held in the state palace attended by the president and the ministers. Which makes this ceremony special is, it is performed by senior high school students from every province in Indonesia. They are the best sons and daughters as the representatives of their provinces that have passed through several selection before. That is why the independence ceremony at the national level has become a precious moment and certainly will be a pride for them and their school.
Wave The Flag
Based on the guidelines commemoration of Indonesian independence day, to the whole of society, government and private agencies, they have to wave the red and white flag (flag of Indonesia) for 5 consecutive days, starting on 15 August to 18 August.
"Flag waving in every corner"
Image Source: Google
That is why when the independence day comes, you will see the Indonesian flag waving in front of every house, roadside, or in front of the offices, in order to honor the heroes and also to show that Indonesia is already independent. In addition, it is also to enliven the independence day and as a form of expression of the spirit of independence. Along with it usually the roadside, in village, or in every place will be decorated with a variety of decorations with theme of independence such as the red and white balloons, banners, etc.
Night of Tirakatan
There are unique thing that normally can only be found when the day of independence come, The Night of Tirakatan. Tirakatan could be interpreted as reflect or pray. Night of Tirakatan conducted on August 16 or the night before the day of independence. Not all regions in Indonesia held a this event, but mostly only done by Javanese. People usually will gather in one place and muses about the meaning of independence day with several events that could remind them of how valuable the independence day and also foster a love of their homeland. With this, they will more appreciate and love their country, and also to add a sense of unity between them.
"Night of Tirakatan in village"
Image Source: Google
Independence Day Competition
One activity that has become a tradition to commemorate Indonesian independence day is with holding of various competitions. In nearly all regions in Indonesia, they will hold various competitions to celebrate Indonesian Independence Day whether in the village, district, or others. This competition aims to enliven the independence of Indonesia and add a sense of social harmony. Competition usually be followed by a variety of people, ranging from children, teenagers, parents, etc. The type or kind of competition also vary, such as eating crackers, marbles run, biting coins, fishing, climbing, etc. Here are a few examples of competitions that has become a culture when commemorate the Indonesian independence day:
☼ Eating Crackers Competition
Eating cracker competition is one of competition that should be there to celebrate the independence day. In this competition, participants must compete to eat the crackers that had been hanged. The fastest-consuming cracker participant until the end is the winner. This competition will be entertaining the audience while seeing the participants that desperately trying to eat hanged crackers which is slightly higher than their height, even they must use their tongues to grab and eat crackers.
"Kids desperately trying to eat crackers"
Image Source: Google
☼ Marble Run Competition
In this competition, participants must walk from the start line to the finish with the marble that are placed on the spoon and they have to use their mouths to bring a spoon containing the marble. This competition is quite difficult, because it takes concentration to bring a spoon along marble using their mouth. In addition they also had to race to get to the finish line as quickly as possible. The fastest participant who managed to bring a spoon along with the marble using their mouth without falling is the winner.
"Marble run competition with mouth"
Image Source: Google
☼ Biting Coins Competition
This competition is quite funny, because the participants had to compete to pull out the coins that are inserted into the round fruits like papaya, watermelon, etc, which have been hanged by using their teeth without using hands. Previously, the round fruit had been smeared with charcoal or other natural coloring materials, so when the participants tried to bite a coin then automatically their face will be covered with charcoal. The winner is the participant who can pull out the most coins within a limited time. This competition will bring laughter when seeing the participants desperately trying to pull out the coins with a face covered in charcoal.
"The joy in biting coins competition"
Image Source: Google
☼ Climbing Competition
Normally this competition is for teenagers or adults. Participants have to take the prizes that have been placed on the top tree trunk by climbing. Of course, the trunk used is slippery textured trunk such as from banana trees, nut trees, etc., it is intended to make it difficult for the participants. Often, the tree trunk deliberately given the liquid oil so that it becomes more slippery and difficult to climb. Typically the participants will create a group and help each other to be able to take a prizes at the top. In addition to enliven independence day, this competition also can increase the sense of brotherhood and unity.
"Climbing competition"
Image Source: Google
Actually there are a lot of various competitions held to commemorate the independence day and this competitions has always managed to bring laughter to those who watch it. Winning or losing is not the aim of this competition, but rather the togetherness that they've went through in commemorating the independence day that will add harmony in life.
Performing Arts
One of the other things that normally exist in the independence day is the performing arts. I do not know whether in other region they also held it or not, but here, Yogyakarta, where I live, usually held the performing arts a few days or weeks after 17 August. In the performing arts will be shown a wide variety of entertaining performances, such as traditional dances, traditional arts, or other performances. In addition, the performing art also become a place for handing out prizes to the winners of independence day competition. In addition to entertainment, performing arts can also be a means of preserving the art and culture of Indonesia.
"Performing arts to commemorate independence day"
Image Source: Google
Independence Day Celebration with bitLanders
As a social media platform, bitlanders continuously trying to satisfy its users. One of them is with their avatars special outfits for the independence day. bitLanders has released a various ethnic outfits to commemorate the independence day from various countries, such as the Philippines, Pakistan, India, USA, and of course Indonesia. Usually, the outfits can only be bought at the shop for a limited time except the ethnic suits.
And specifically for Indonesia, bitLanders has released Indonesian Fireworks of Freedom and Indonesian Balloon of Freedom that are available from August 12 to August 19. Yeah, it's too late to buy it now. But do not worry, because at the same time bitLanders also has released ethnic suits for both male and female avatar such as kebaya dress, batik suit, and traditional Javanese suit. And of course as an Indonesian and Javanese I had bought the outfits and also wore it to celebrate the independence day of Indonesia. You can see the new look of my avatar below:
"LookUp's new look to celebrate Indonesian Independence Day"
Image Source: taken from bitLanders and edited by me
Those above were the things that Indonesian do to celebrate the independence day. Of course there are other things that characterizes a region when celebrating independence day, but I only discuss the things that I have encountered in my region, because of the breadth of Indonesia and the different cultures in each region.
"National Compulsory song - Hari Merdeka"
Video Source: Youtube @samuraimiskin
The Republic of Indonesia is not owned by a group, does not belong to a religion, not owned by a tribe, not owned by a custom class, but it belongs to all of us from Sabang to Merauke!" -Ir. Soekarno (The first president of the Republic of Indonesia (1945-1966))
