Role Of Food In Indonesian Culture

1. What role does food play in Indonesian culture? Describe one custom or ritual involving food in Indonesia culture.

Food in Indonesian culture plays many roles. It illustrates some of the cultural influences in Indonesia and plays important role in rituals and norms of the society. Indonesian food also serves as a symbol of the society. Food in Indonesian culture also brings people together. The members of the culture are connects by their food. One ritual involving food in Indonesia culture is Ramadan. Ramadan is when Muslim Indonesians fast from sunup until sundown for thirty days. They may wake up very early to eat before the sun rises and gather together with others to feast after the sun has set. At the end of the thirty days, family

For example, the abangan is a blend of Islam, Hinduism, and kejawen, which is an ancient belief. In this way, Islam and Hinduism are two cultures that have contributed to cultural diffusion in Indonesia. In addition to the abangan religion, other people in Indonesia practice Santri, priyayi, Bodha, Kaharingan, etc. This diversity in religion shows the cultural diffusion within Indonesia as the culture of the people who trade with this country mix with the cultures that already exist. In Java, the cultural diffusion of Islam can be seen. The many mosques that stand in Java show that cultures that practice Islam influenced the culture of Indonesian groups through cultural diffusion. Cultural diffusion can also be seen in Indonesian food. Chinese dishes, such as dim sum, are often made in Indonesia. This shows the contribution of the Chinese culture to cultural diffusion. Indian and Western culture have also influenced the Indonesian cuisine. For example, Indonesians eat rice with chicken instead of bread at a popular fried chicken fast food franchise. In this way, the influence of Western cultures, such as America, can be since in fast food franchised located in Indonesia. Overall, many areas should the cultural diffusion within Indonesia which has been contributed to by many different cultures.

3. How do traditional Indonesian homes

The Indonesian cuisine had been influenced by Indian, Chinese, and Western cultures. The American cuisine has also been influenced by a variety of cultures. Indonesians may prepare dim sum, a Chinese dish, while Americans enjoy tacos. In this way Indoensian and American cultures both enjoy food from a variety of different cultures. A second similarity between my culture and Indonesian cultures is that, in both places, a variety of different religions are practiced. In Indonesian, eighty-six percent of the population practices Islam. In America, a majority of the population practices Christianity. Yet, in both places, a variety of other religions are also practices. In Indonesian these other religions include Hinduism, Santri, Bodha, Kaharingan, etc. In American, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. are also practiced. A third similarity between the American culture and the cultures of Indonesia are that are both experience a notable amount of cultural diffusion, although in different ways. Indonesian cultures come in contact with other cultures through trade, as Indonesia is located along important trade routes. In America, cultural diffusion occurs as immigrates from other countries move to America and share their cultures. In this way, America and Indonesia are culturally diverse. Neither country is closed off from the influence