Discover Jakarta
Historical Sites of Indonesia’s Independence in Jakarta
17 August 1945 was a sacred day for Indonesians: a declaration of independence, a rejection of colonialism. It was a long journey for the nation to achieve independence and in fact it continued to 1949, when the Dutch finally ‘accepted’ the nation’s sovereignty. Here are the historical sites of Indonesia’s Independence in Jakarta, the landmarks
Tumpeng Philosophy (and why we’ve been doing it all wrong)
Nasi tumpeng is iconic when it comes to Indonesia’s traditional celebratory cuisine. It has come to represent Indonesian culture and way of life through its variety of ingredients, colours, shape and its ‘serving’ tradition. Seen at birthdays, anniversaries, business openings, weddings, it is ubiquitous with celebration, but despite how commonplace it is, it turns out
Sunda Kelapa and the Birth of Jakarta
All data and history point to the area of Kota, on the west bank of the Ciliwung River approximately eight hundred meters south of the Pasar Ikan. There, the seeds were planted that developed into the metropolitan city of Jakarta Raya, one might say the birth of Jakarta, a city which is now home to
All Saints Anglican Church: The Oldest English-Speaking Institution in Indonesia
This is an insightful historical account of the All Saints Anglican Church in Menteng, originally written by Andrew Lake, former Vicar of All Saints’ Anglican Church Jakarta and revised and updated by permission of Andrew Lake, March 2023. The church has lived through 200 years of Indonesian history, and Jakarta has quite-well developed around it.
Betawi Culture, in a Nutshell
In light of the 494th Anniversary of Jakarta, it seems only fitting that we explore the very essence of what makes the capital ‘Jakarta’, with its plethora of cultures merging, and its history that’s rich with pride and struggle, the Betawi culture carries centuries of continuous amalgamation and union, birthing traditions and costumes that are
Bird Watching in Jakarta
City parks and forests play vital roles in urban communities, they are actually a haven for wildlife that residents can also witness. Now, it may seem unlikely, but one can in fact experience bird watching in Jakarta. One Indonesian birdwatcher and wildlife photographer, Ady Kristanto, has taken to the city’s green zones to spot the
The Jakarta-Bogor Railroad: 150 Years of History
Railway development in Jakarta has a long history. One such historical railroad is the route between Jakarta and Bogor, originally used to transport plantation commodities from Priangan, West Java, to the city. Today the rail route is still one of the busiest, but its cargo has changed, shuttling commuters and those looking for opportunity in
Jakarta’s Ondel-Ondel, Explained
Though their bright and festive appearance seems to have degraded over the years — with (somewhat frightening) street-side buskers cheapening the city’s mascot for a little extra change — no one can deny how iconic and recognisable Jakarta’s ‘ondel-ondel’ are. But what are ondel-ondel, and where did they originate? If you love stories about Jakarta,
The Aesthetic Jakarta Library
The Jakarta Library with modern and aesthetically pleasing looks, aims to build a new ecosystem and becomes a friendly facilitator for the people of Jakarta in learning, working and growing together. The Jakarta Library and the HB Jassin Literary Documentation Center, which is present as a new look for Taman Ismail Marzuki was born as
A Visitor’s Guide to Kota Tua Jakarta, The ‘Old Town’ of the Capital
Jakarta Old Town, also known as Kota Tua Jakarta, is a historic area located in the heart of Jakarta city. It is a must-visit destination for those who are interested in the rich history and culture of Jakarta. The area is home to a number of historical buildings and monuments that date back to the
Hariom: The Legendary Pasar Baru Tailor Revamped
Pasar Baru is hardly new as its name implies, it has a long history of trade that stretches way back in time, in fact it is a memory that cannot be separated from the history of Jakarta. Most of the shops are able to tell the long history of doing business in the area, including
Jakarta’s Library of Humor Studies: A Serious Place to Research Humour
At The Library of Humour Studies anyone can research humour and comedy, for free. This place is not only the first humour library in Indonesia, but also a center for humour studies for various disciplines and professions. Have you ever tried going through the day without chuckle? You’ll probably find that it’s downright impossible. Realized
Did You Know: Jatinegara Market
In its history, the Jatinegara region, or Meester Cornelis, was once a colonial military area. Photo courtesy of The Jakarta Post Why is the Jatinegara Market also known as Mester? The name of Mester is written on the gate of Jatinegara market, visible from Jalan Jatinegara Timur. The area of Jatinegara was known as Mester
