The renowned author of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain, is believed to have said that ‘Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness’. Indeed, any person who has explored the beautifully diverse world that exists beyond their national border can attest to the truth of these words. Travel is a wonderful way to refresh yourself and test your ability to navigate the unexpected for one thing that can be guaranteed when travelling is that all will definitely not go according to plan. It also allows you to sample diverse cuisines and experience a myriad of cultures and traditions and this is one of the main attractions the prospect of travel poses to many. When visiting the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the indigenous culture is presented through the Betawi Cultural Village. Whether you reside in luxury service apartments in Jakarta such as the iconic Somerset Grand Citra Jakarta or opt for a cheaper backpacker’s hostel, the Betawi Cultural Village remains a must visit for the insight it provides.
The Betawi people are considered to be the descendents of those who lived in Batavia. This community speaks a special language known as Betawi which resembles the predominantly spoken Malay in Indonesia. A considerable number of the population are also Muslims while a minority of Christians who are known as ‘Serani People’ also reside in Jakarta. With the rapid industrialisation experienced by the world and movements of migrations, a number of immigrants from neighbouring South East Asian countries settled down in Indonesia, prompting the indigenous communities of the Betawi people to relocate to West and South Jakarta.
In an effort to preserve the cultural and special practices of this community, the Betawi Cultural Village was established at Setu Babakan and this attraction provides locals and tourists the opportunity to learn about their cultural and social practices. To this end, the village periodically hosts traditional dance performances as well as personal rituals such as those conducted at weddings and during pregnancy. Tourists can witness these performances and gain an understanding into the intrinsic value behind such practices and learn to appreciate the local culture.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.
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