Jogjakarta: Cultural Tourism in Indonesia

If you choose Indonesia for your holiday, do not miss Java Island. Java is very popular island because the capital of Indonesia “Jakarta” is located here. Jogjakarta, Central Java, is the center of original Javanese culture. So, for you who are interested at culture tourism, make Jogjakarta as your holiday destinatiom. Images coming across in our mind when hearing word “Jogjakarta” are its traditional music instrument “Gamelan” and traditional dances. Many foreigners come to Jogjakarta to learn gamelan. When visiting UGM (Gajah Mada University) I found a class for foreigner who wants to learn about gamelan. For us, listening to gamelan gives the effect “peaceful feeling”. This music brings us to concept of simple life. We feel like enough and don’t need anything else in this life. Gamelan and traditional dances with slow motion are really reflection of Javanese people. Here are some descriptions about Javanese people especially Jogjakarta

• Jogjakarta people have simple life. It can be said that wild ambition never exists (not for young people). Being with family and getting healthy are the concept of perfect life. They can be happy, satisfied and grateful with their life in any condition.
• People there are well known to have soft feeling and higher standard of politeness than other Javanese. They use the most polite Javanese language (there are 3 kinds of Javanese languages based on the level of politeness). Their gesture when communicating really indicates “much respect”, even to younger people. As young Javanese who come from Surabaya (Metro City) I felt coward and embarrassed when much older man talked to me. Young people mostly forget how to communicate with older people.
• Jogjakarta people almost can’t speak frankly and honestly about something which can make other people feel bad. They can’t give you negative judgment. They are good in pretending and hiding their feeling to create the good environment in getting along with their friends or neighbours. They will not express something that can make someone upset or annoyed.
• Probably, they are the most patient people in Indonesia. They give high tolerance and acceptance.