Marking a host of colourful festivals throughout the year, Indonesia is a culture buff’s dream destination. Here are the best loved local festivals taking place in Indonesia every year.
Nyepi
As the celebration of the New Year, the Nyepi Festival is one of the biggest local celebrations in the calendar. Celebrated on the 25th and 26th of March, the festival begins with meditation and fasting the entire country comes to a standstill for the two days. Prayers and countless rituals are associated with this local festival which is big celebration in Bali, in particular.
Rambu Solo Ceremony
Also called the Toraja Funeral Ceremony, the Rambu Solo Ceremony takes places in the months between July and September and is marked by the Torja community in Indonesia. This fascinating festival involves a number of intriguing customs or rites that are means to guide the dead to the afterlife.
Baliem Valley Festival
Also held in August, the Baliem Valley Festival is another vibrant cultural festival that’s marked by tribal communities in the country. As the biggest harvest festival in the country the Baliem Valley Festival rituals ensures that prosperity or fertility are guaranteed in the year to come. The fake war which takes between two tribes is one of the highlights of the festivals as more than 19 tribes in traditional dress come to “battle” it out for top honours. Travellers based at Bintan resorts will find that a tour of such festival grounds is part of many a Bintan resort package.
Jember Fashion Carnival
Fashionistas heading to Indonesia should not miss the chance to take part in the Jember Fashion Carnival which involves exquisite fashion processions. Held from the 6th of August to the 9th, the elaborate costumes worn in the parades will remind travellers of Mardi Gras.
