Indonesian culture has been shaped by long interaction between original indigenous customs and multiple foreign influences. Indonesia is central along ancient trading routes between the Far East and the Middle East, resulting in many cultural practices being strongly influenced by a multitude of religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Islam, all strong in the major trading cities. The result is a complex cultural mixture very different from the original indigenous cultures.
Examples of cultural fusion include the fusion of Islam with Hindu in Javanese Abangan belief, the fusion of Hinduism, Buddhism and animism in Bodha, and the fusion of Hinduism and animism in Kaharingan; others could be cited.
Indonesian art-forms express this cultural mix. Wayang, traditional theater-performed puppet shows, were a medium in the spread of Hinduism and Islam amongst Javan villagers. Both Javanese and Balinese dances have stories about ancient Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms, while Islamic art forms and architecture are present in Sumatra, especially in the Minangkabau and Aceh regions. Traditional art, music and sport are combined in a martial art form called Pencak Silat.
INDONESIA NATURE
Indonesia’s Natural Wealth
It turned out that Indonesia Have World’s Smallest Orchid: Oberonia sp.
Indonesia is known as a country with biodiversity, another one has been found in orchids of the genus sp Oberonia size 1.1 mm – 1.5 mm which is the smallest in the world.
Researchers from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Destario Metusala, who has found in its exploration in the Mentawai Islands. “During this time the world’s smallest orchid is in Ecuador with a size of 2 mm – 2.1 mm,” said Destario Metusala in electronic mail, Saturday, (29 / 5).
Thus, he said, may be clarified that for the time being the smallest orchid in the world record held by orchids from Ecuador had defeated Oberonia sp orchids from the Mentawai Islands.
However, according to him, it should be noted that he was not in a position to claim Oberonia this sp as the smallest orchid in the world, because it needs more scientific study. “But at least, while we can be proud because Indonesia has shifted positions orchids orchids from Ecuador who previously claimed as the smallest orchid in the world,” he said. According Destario, orchids obtained in exploration in the Mentawai Islands, recently, it has less commercial value among orchid enthusiasts. However, he said, from the standpoint of botany, orchid that has a value of knowledge that are invaluable.
Destario say, from observations through a microscope, looks orchid sp Oberonia has bright orange flowers, and inflorescence arranged in a series of hundreds of flower bulbs are regularly arranged in a spiral pattern. “It will possibly be found orchids with a smaller size of the wilderness of Indonesia, considering there are still many species Oberonia sp in Indonesia that have not been studied further,” he said.
New Species: Pinocchio-nosed Frog Discovered in Papua
Singapore – Scientists are exploring the Indonesian jungle have discovered a collection of claiming a new species, including Pinocchio-nosed frog, the world’s smallest wallaby, and yellow-eyed gecko. A group of international scientists discover new species in the Foja Mountains in the remote island of Papua in late 2008. They released details, including pictures, on this Monday before the International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May
Many of the species found during the survey believed were new to science, Conservation International and the National Geographic Society said there were several new mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and dozens of insects. From this discovery, scientists warn of threats to accelerate the development of extinction of species on the planet that has been warmed and forests as habitats are destroyed because of broken to feed the human population.
“While the animals and plants around the world have started millions of years were swept away in speed, this discovery really stunning in the form of much-needed life as positive news,” said Bruce Beehler, participants of the expedition from Conservation International. “Places like this are a healthy future for us all and shows that it’s not too late to stop the current species extinction crisis.”
Foja Mountains in Papua province, Indonesia, on the island of New Guinea and covers a large area of tropical forest that has not been damaged and is not affected. Conservation International said the Frog Pinocchio, his nose looked up when the male is active, but the nose will decrease if the silence. The team also found other benign stars, including the rat hairy, yellow-eyed gecko, a new type of pigeon king, and a small wallaby, believed to be members of the kangaroo family in the world.
In other findings that were recorded during the survey, including bats, which feed on nectar rain forest, and small tree rats. Scientists are becoming increasingly concerned about the level of the missing species on the planet and show great benefits from forests, river systems, wetlands and oceans to human life and economy. Latest reports show that governments around the world failed to meet the targets achieved in the year 2002 to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010, which was declared by the United Nations as International Year of Biodiversity. Negotiators from around the world will meet in Japan in October to discuss new targets to stem the loss of biodiversity during the next 40 years.
