An Introduction to Indonesian History and Culture: Lecture by Dewi Susilawati

Wednesday, July 20, 2018

Dewi gave a succinct lecture on Indonesian history that gave me a better understanding than any textbook I tried reading before my trip. I never knew where to begin. Below, I will share a bulleted list of my notes. I think you will find it interesting, and I will more than likely build on this information when I visit the history museum in South Kalimantan.

Grover is ready to learn! Are you?

Pre-Colonial Era

• Indonesia history began 1.7 million years ago.

• Many Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms in Java Island and Sumatra began in this era.

• The trade system is its most prominent feature, which is why Indonesia has such a rich diversity of languages, religions, and cultures.

Portuguese Colonialism (1509 – 1575)

• Missions began to spread Catholicism and take control of the spice trade in Indonesia. Spices are a coveted resource of Indonesia. The wonderful food of this nation is the proof.

• A major war for independence took place from 1570-1575.

• The Portuguese left Indonesia in 1602.

Dutch Occupation

• Next, the Dutch came to Indonesia to take hold of the spice trade and settled in Jakarta for 350 years! This is the most oppressive era in its history. Harsh conditions and slavery.

Japanese Occupation (1942 – 1945)

• The Japanese forced out the Dutch in 1940 during WWII.

• The United States dropped a bomb on Hiroshima ending the war and driving out the Japanese from Indonesia.

Independence Era to Ode Lama (1945 – 1966)

• First President Soekarno's reign began with much promise but fell into many of the same traps as communist leaders. His regime ended with riots and protest.

Soeharto to Orde Baru (1967 - 1998)

• Soeharto came into power, and continued to do so for 32 years. The Asian financial crisis of the 1990s ended in protests. Everything in Indonesia doubled in price. He was pushed from office in 1998.

Reformation (1998-present)

• Habibie was the first president of the new era. There were a lot of demonstrations and protests in Indonesia. People wanted their freedom.

• 2004 marked the first actual election of a president.

• Indonesia has 17,000 islands and 34 provinces.

• Important to its history is the implementation of the Pancasila (Like our bill of rights).

Pancasila

1. Belief in the One and Only God (in Indonesian "Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa"),

2. A just and civilized humanity (in Indonesian "Kemanusiaan Yang Adil dan Beradab"),

3. A unified Indonesia (in Indonesian "Persatuan Indonesia"),

4. Democracy, led by the wisdom of the representatives of the People (in Indonesian "Kerakyatan Yang Dipimpin oleh Hikmat Kebijaksanaan, Dalam Permusyawaratan Perwakilan")

5. Social justice for all Indonesians (in Indonesian "Keadilan Sosial bagi seluruh Rakyat Indonesia").

Some interesting traditions to keep in mind as I navigate my way through the country. Lucky for me I'm not left handed.