Witness the 26 vibrant and diverse provinces of Indonesia, replete with cultural motifs and societal norms, replicated in one convenient museum, the Indonesian Museum in the recreational area of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), located in the eastern corner of Jakarta. Explore the museum and other aspects of Indonesian culture when your travels bring you to the lively capital of Jakarta. Luxury Jakarta serviced apartments are the ideal host for your stay, especially the kind you will discover at the Ascott Jakarta. A stay at an Ascott serviced residence in Jakarta is a prime accommodation option geared to pampering all who indulge in it. Discover the 26 different provincial cultures that make up the colourful cultural tapestry of Indonesia housed in a gorgeous Balinese-inspired building. Home to the traditional as well as contemporary arts, crafts and costumes, it presents a visual spectacle unseen elsewhere. When you visit the museum, you will encounter life-sized Balinese statues decked with the traditional costumes of celebration and pageantry. The first floor features the formal dress and wedding attire of 26 provinces, as well as dance costumes such as the wayang and gamelan, and a splendid glass map of the country. Move on to the second floor and you’ll see exhibits that harmonise the link between Indonesian culture and nature, replicas of religious buildings, as well as the traditional layouts of houses that incorporated natural elements into the architecture. The third floor is the arts and crafts centre, which showcases textile crafts such as Tenun, a form of weaving, Batik, and Songket. You’ll also find an intriguing collection of wooden carving styles from Bali, Jepara, Asmat and the Toraja cultures. There is also a sculpture of a Kalpataru Tree, considered to be the “tree of life”, serving as an 8-metre center piece. The museum also offers a series of temporary exhibitions of varied themes throughout the year, so each visit will present a unique allure to culture vultures.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.