THE GUIDE / EXPLORE AT YOUR OWN PACE
A little understanding goes a long way. Explore everyday etiquette, regional traditions, language, and the stories behind them.
Ask before photographing identifiable people, keep clear of worshippers and processions, and stop immediately if anyone signals no. In temples and ceremonies, dress modestly, avoid flash and intrusive lenses, and use a wider shot from a place…
In Indonesia, the safest etiquette is local and situational: remove shoes where the household or venue does, use the right hand for giving…
Indonesia’s national language is Bahasa Indonesia, but it is not the everyday first language for most Indonesians. Visitors will also hear regional and…
Ulos is a handwoven textile of the Batak peoples of North Sumatra, traditionally made from cotton on a backstrap loom and closely tied…
When buying Indonesian crafts, ask three questions before you fall for the object: who made it, what it is made from, and how…
Indonesia's traditional markets, or pasar, are working shops before they are visitor attractions. Arrive early, greet the vendor, pay in small rupiah notes,…
Use halo for a casual hello and selamat plus pagi, siang, sore, or malam for a greeting that matches the time of day;…
The safest way to tell batik, ikat and songket apart is to ask when the pattern is made. Batik adds pattern to finished…
Indonesian etiquette is not one national script. A shared baseline of hierarchy, family obligation, religious sensitivity, and social harmony matters across the archipelago,…
Indonesian textiles are not one craft but a family of techniques and regional traditions. Start by separating technique from place: batik from Java,…
