The legend of Ebu GoGo

In 2003 an expedition of scientists claimed to have found the skeletal remains of what seemed to be some descendant of ourselves, the homo sappiens sappiens, although these remains were not very similar to ours, they had a peculiarity and that was that they were from 2 to 4 times smaller than a human being in adulthood.

They were named Homo Floresiensis, because they had been found in Las Flores, Indoneisa. This discovery caused the evolutionary chain to reverberate as we knew it, or perhaps we had discovered another type of human species?

The expression “hobbits” became popular among some scientists to refer to this new species, since they bore a great resemblance to these science fiction beings. Apparently they were wild beings and lived among very fierce predators and of a much larger size than them. They supplied this problem with a great ability to make tools, since they found many types of tools that they are supposed to use to hunt, to make fire inside the caves, etc.

Now the legend of the Ebu Gogo is used as a variation of the typical western sack man legend. The natives of Nage are told the story of this terrifying, ugly, furry and strong creature. In the most terrifying stories it is told how this little creature kidnapped children when they came out of the protection of their villages and was never heard from again. There are other narrations that assure that the creatures asked for ransoms in exchange for returning the kidnapped children, although most are said to have been devoured by the ferocious Ebu

Indonesian culture and traditions

Indonesia is an archipelago, a group of more than 17,000 islands, of which Sumatra, Kalimantan and Java are the best known, largest and most populous. This country is located in Southeast Asia and is a crossing point for commercial ships, due to which it has received a multitude of cultural influences, making it a multicultural place.

History

Being a crossing point for Asian merchants, although the majority of the population is of Malay origin, it has been under the influence of Holland, which became independent from the Netherlands in 1945 with Sukarno.

Religion

The Indonesian religion is very important as it has a great impact on its population. There are 5 official religions, Islam, Catholicism, Protestatism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
Currently 80% of the Indonesian population is Islamist, although women are not forced to wear a headscarf, despite this most women wear it voluntarily. Men are allowed to have more than one woman, but always with the consent of the first woman.

The Portuguese were the ones who introduced Catholicism, but it has less and less influence on the population. In Bali the most practiced religions are Hinduism and Buddhism, especially the second is more practiced by the population of Chinese origin.

Some customs

In urban areas there is a lot of western influence, but in rural areas the most traditional culture is much preserved. In these more traditional places, the habits and rules of the community continue to be respected, with the family being the most important.

In temples it is mandatory to cover your shoulders, with a batik, a shawl or anything. We have to understand that for them the head is something sacred, so it cannot be touched. The right hand is used to eat and also to give or receive something, it is a way of showing respect. The left, on the other hand, is reserved for all impure acts such as cleaning. Another curious thing is that they always take off their shoes when entering a house.

Clothing

Today there are already many people who dress in the western way, but as we said before, in more rural areas some more traditional clothing is still preserved.

Both men and women wear sarong, which is a rectangular-shaped cloth that is worn around the hip. They wear it in various colors and fabrics, as if it were some kind of belt.

Another garment called the Kebaya is also used, which is a typical blouse for Indonesian women. It is a long-sleeved and fitted blouse, it has no collar and it is fastened at the front.

Men can also wear the peci, which is a typical hat or a scarf tied around the head.

Gastronomy

The gastronomy of Indonesia varies a lot according to the region, it has a mixture of Chinese, European, Eastern and Indian influences. In all of them rice is the main ingredient and they usually mix it with meat or vegetables. Coconut milk, chicken, and a wide variety of spices are also widely used.

Nasi Campur is a type of rice that is combined with chicken, vegetables, soy and omelette. Lumpia is a spring roll filled with meat, vegetables, noodles … Karu ayam is a kind of chicken stew with vegetables, curry sauce, coconut milk, rice …

Typical parties and celebrations

At parties and celebrations it is another place where you can see the great variety of Indonesian cultures. Between February and March, fighting drills are held in Sumba, it is a way to commemorate the wars of mutual annihilation. Between April and March, New Year’s Eve also takes place, it is usually typical to play drums that are said to drive away evil spirits. Another important festival is the Galungan where the gods come down to earth to unite with earthlings. On the Island of Larantuka there is a procession for Easter and in Ruteng for the duels of the whips.

3 Places to visit in Indonesia

Indonesia is a country full of exotic corners that deserve to be visited on a trip. This Southeast Asian country has an extensive and varied offer for all travelers who choose it as a tourist destination, with more than 17,000 islands, stunning places such as Bali and the Gili Islands.

If you go to Indonesia on a trip there are 3 places that you cannot miss but you want the trip to not be the best trip you could do.

Let’s go with the top3!

1. Bali

Bali is undoubtedly the number 1 destination if we talk about Indonesia, known as the Island of the Gods, it is an almost obligatory visit.

Bali has more than 10,000 Buddhist temples, beautiful rice fields where you can stroll, waterfalls where bathing is allowed. You can surf on its beaches if you are one of the most daring, or do some trekking route such as the climb to the Batur volcano. For the calmer you can also do foot and back massages.

The accommodation we recommend in Bali is Ubud, from where you can make routes by motorcycle or rental car or by hiring the services of a native driver.

2. Tanjung Puting National Park

Tanjung Puting National Park is located in the south of the island of Borneo and is another of the practically obligatory destinations if you visit Indonesia.
It is known for the good conservation and care of orangutans, with programs for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the species. It is a reference in the whole world and you cannot miss it.
You can cross the entire Sekonyer River in a Klotok, which is a small wooden boat used by the inhabitants of the area. Going down the river in those small boats seeing orangutans in their natural habitat is a unique experience.

3. Borobudur and Prambanan

Borobudur and Prambanan are two temples that are declared a World Heritage Site, they are one of the wonders of the Island of Java.

Prambanan is rather a collection of more than 200 small, Hindu temples that date back to the 9th century. It is curious that they remain so well even after earthquakes have passed. In them you can see spectacular stone sculptures and carvings.

Borobudur is a Buddhist temple, it is the largest Buddhist temple in the whole world, with more than 70 stone stupas with a Buddha statue. It was built between the years 750 and 850 and consists of 6 discolored square platforms, with reliefs and many statues of the Buddha.
This temple is a place of obligatory pilgrimage in the Buddhist culture.

Mata Hari’s story

Margaretha Geertruida Zelle known as Mata Hari

Was a well-known dancer, courtesan, and even Dutch spy. As with her brahminical and oriental dances she had great success in eruopa, during the First World War Germany used her as a spy until she was arrested by French state forces and found guilty of treason and espionage charges. For these acts she was sentenced to death and executed by firing squad on October 15, 1917 in the Vincennes fortress.

The name Mata Hari, comes from Malay and its meaning is “eye of the day” which would come to be the Sun in its culture.

From a humble family, his father was a hatter Adam Zelle and his mother was Antje Van Der Meulen. She was the oldest daughter of 4 brothers, all boys except her. Her parents were divorced and the mother died a few years after the divorce. Her father instead remarried.

Mata Hari stood out for his great beauty and went to live with his godfather at the early age of 16. She studied at a special school to train as a teacher but had an affair with one of the directors of the center and expelled. He had to go live with his uncle ever since.

It is said that he had Indonesian ancestry but many studies suggest that his ancestry was not really Asian, but that he was from Dutch parents.

In 1985 a military captain named Rudolf MacLeod published an advertisement requesting a wife and she volunteered. In July 1985, with her about to turn 19, they both married and moved to Java, the destination where they had sent the captain. They had two children, a boy and a woman. One of the sons was poisoned by revenge by one of the servants to Rudolf MacLeod.

The guilty husband took refuge in the drink and Mata Hari began to have his first contacts with the Javanese culture, perhaps looking for some way of distraction. It was when she started with oriental love dances and techniques, which were the ones that later made the dancer famous.

Later she returned to Europe as a luxury courtesan.