Soon, Christians around the world will welcome Christmas Day, which falls on 25th of December. This big day commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ usually takes place in a festive manner and becomes a moment of togetherness with family.
Christmas celebrations in Indonesia follow the global tradition of honouring the birth of Jesus. People flock to church for worship, gather with family and friends, sing Christmas carol, waiting for Santa Claus, and exchange Christmas gifts. Christmas trees are also beautifully decorated, and delicious Christmas dinner are integral to the celebration.
During the Christmas holiday, the air is filled with the joyful sounds of classic Christmas songs, and the streets come alive with sparkling Christmas lights that cast a warm, festive glow. People gather around evergreen trees, their branches adorned with colorful ornaments, to celebrate the season of giving.
It’s a time to exchange gifts with loved ones, a tradition that embodies the spirit of generosity and kindness. Giving gifts, whether big or small, becomes a meaningful way to show appreciation and love, creating memories that will last long after the season has passed.
With Christmas fast approaching, many homes have already put up Christmas trees, but there is a sight that’s truly one-of-a-kind in this place in Bali. Instead of the usual pine tree, this video showcases a Christmas tree made of banana leaves, a unique twist that’s sure to pique your interest.
@kyndcommunity We are officially decking the halls at Kynd Canggu 🎄 Come in and see this year’s handmade Christmas tree inspired by the balinese penjor 💛 #KyndCommunity #Canggu #Christmas #DeckTheHalls #Festive ♬ Christmas standard song – 3KTrack
“We are officially decking the halls at Kynd Canggu 🎄 Come in and see this year’s handmade Christmas tree inspired by the Balinese penjor,” wrote the caption on the @kyndcommunity TikTok video.
The pink penjor Christmas tree is a beautiful testament to the fusion of Indonesian culture with Christmas traditions.
The uniqueness of Christmas Season in Indonesia is a rich tapestry of diverse religious and cultural activities. Each region adds a unique flavour to the celebration, from Christmas performances and music concerts to Christmas dances. In some places, the festivities are even more merry with the addition of fireworks, creating a joyful and warm atmosphere.
Christmas Culture in Indonesia: A fusion of Indonesian culture when celebrating Christmas traditions
Christmas in Indonesia is celebrated by Christian religious groups, whereas in other countries, such as the United States or the United Kingdom, It is a popular Christmas festival celebrated by the majority of the population.
However, despite the difference in popularity, Christmas in Indonesia and abroad are similar in how it is celebrated.
In Indonesia, Christmas is not just a religious celebration but a reflection of the country’s rich cultural diversity. With its many tribes and different cultural backgrounds, Indonesia’s Christmas culture is a testament to the harmonious blend of culture and religion that is unique to this country.
What truly shines in Indonesia’s Christmas traditions is the harmonious blend of culture and religion. This unique fusion, found only in Indonesia, adds a special charm to the festive season, making it a truly fascinating and enriching experience.
In addition to cultural mixing, many Christmas traditions in Indonesia are famous for religious activities accompanied by midnight mass in the church, which emphasizes the strong religious aspects.
10 Christmas Cultures in Indonesia
Christianity is the second-largest religion in the country. Therefore, every region in Indonesia must have different and unique Christmas traditions.
People have carried out these traditions for generations since the time of the ancestors, so they hold deep meaning.
Here are ten various Christmas traditions in Indonesia that are interesting to know.
1. Lovely December Festival, Christmas Culture in Toraja
People in Toraja celebrate Christmas by holding a cultural and tourism festival titled “Lovely December”. The festival starts in early December and culminates on December 26.
The festival showcases gratitude and togetherness through cultural exhibitions, culinary delights, and Lettoan processions that depict symbols of Torajan life.
In the Torajan language, the word ‘Lettoan’ means a box made of bamboo and used as a place for animal offerings. The box is then decorated with janur, tabang leaves and sirri-sirri (croton leaves).
The Lettoan that has been made is then carried into the yard of the house where the ceremony is held. The people who carry the Lettoan are also arranged according to the family clan from the oldest to the youngest.
After carrying Lettoan, the pigs that become sacrificial animals are collected. Usually, a temporary cage is made in the house’s yard.
The last procession in the Lettoan event is to slaughter the pigs, and then they distribute the meat to the family and community. This pork is also cut and distributed based on the community’s social strata.
2. Marbinda Christmas Culture in North Sumatra
Marbinda is a tradition of sacrificing animals to maintain togetherness and warmth, enliven the spirit of Christmas, and be grateful for the blessings received.
It is usually held every December 24. The cost of marbinda to buy slaughtered animals is obtained from the community for one year. After slaughtering, the meat will be distributed to residents evenly. For the Toba Batak community, the marbinda tradition teaches the value of togetherness, solidarity, and justice.
3. Rabo-Rabo Tradition in Jakarta
@wisatakreatifjakartaSelamat tahun Baru 2024 ! Serunya Perayaan Rabo Rabo,, tahun baruan ala Orang Portugis Tugu di Jakut , keliling kampung dengan cara bermain musik kroncong sambil mengunjungi dan silahturahmi dg para tetangga. Seperti ini suasana Rabo Rabo tadi siang saat tur Wisata Kreatif Jakarta ke Kampung Tugu.♬ suara asli – wisatakreatifjakarta
Rabo-rabo is a Christmas tradition practised by the residents of Kamping Tugu, an area where Portuguese Indonesians live in North Jakarta.
The residents of Kampung Tugu are descendants of Portuguese people who were used as workers and soldiers in the Dutch era. For hundreds of years, they have lived in the Semper area, North Jakarta, acculturating with the local population and multiplying.
After mass, Christians in Kampung Tugu will visit the cemetery next to their local church service and begin the rabo-rabo tradition.
The rabo-rabo tradition involves playing keroncong music and dancing together around the village area. The participants sing and visit each other’s relatives.
The relatives who are visited must follow the game until a chain of players is formed on the streets. This activity of visiting relatives’ houses is carried out until it reaches the last house in the area.
4. Bamboo Cannon, Christmas Culture in East Nusa Tenggara
The people of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, celebrate Christmas with the Bamboo Cannon tradition. What is this tradition?
This unique tradition is carried out by voicing bamboo cannons in the villages, which are heard several times.
Uniquely, the people of Flores and Manggarai will sound the bamboo cannon only in December, friends.
People originally created this tradition to announce the sad news that someone had died. It was done because transportation between villages was still limited in ancient times.
But these days, bamboo cannons are used to express joy over the birth of Jesus Christ. On Christmas Eve, bamboo cannons will be installed in every corner of the city and detonated during the Christmas time.
5. Wayang Kulit Kristus, Yogyakarta
Wayang is an art form deeply ingrained in Java, especially in Yogyakarta. It is an important art form not only for Java but also for Indonesia. That’s why wayang is always close to any Javanese tradition around the holidays, including Christmas, which will be celebrated soon.
One unique tradition that stands out in celebrating Christmas in Java is the performance of Wayang Wahyu or Wayang Christ.
The name “Wahyu” that adorns this tradition is taken from the plays that narrate the revelation of God to Christians.
If you want to see christmas story in puppet form, especially around Christmas, visit Yogyakarta. The story of the birth of Jesus Christ is told through puppets, which is typical of puppet shows in general. One of them can be seen in various churches in Yogyakarta.
Uniquely, during the shadow puppet show, the priests who lead the worship will wear typical Yogyakarta costumes, namely Bangkok and backup.
Wayang Wahyu, similar to other shadow puppets, combines gamelan accompaniment and Javanese language in its performance.
Compared to traditional shadow puppetry, Wayang Wahyu’s performances are simpler with a duration of around 2-4 hours, as well as lighter sinden roles.
6. The Siren and Bell Ringing Tradition in Ambon
One of the most popular characteristics of Christmas culture in Ambon is the ship sirens and church bells. Both are rung simultaneously when Christmas arrives.
However, another special tradition is carried out by the residents of Naku city, South Leitimur. Usually, they hold a traditional purification ceremony for the forgiveness of sins.
People will gather at the community house to hold their own traditional rituals. Afterwards, they will sing songs in the local language and dance to the accompaniment of Tifa (a traditional musical instrument).
7. Barapen Tradition in Papua
In Papua, the Barapen tradition is practised year after year as a form of gratitude, togetherness, and sharing. Barapen is an event to burn stones that will be used to cook meat as a meal together.
In preparation for the Barapen ceremony, the men will make a hole to put the hot stone. In the hole, banana leaves will be inserted to cook pork, then covered with thick leaves and stones up to 3 levels.
On the other hand, the women will prepare vegetables, such as kale, ferns, cassava, spinach, papaya, and sweet potatoes. Later the food ingredients will be eaten by the people who follow the tradition.
8. The tradition of Cuci Negeri Soya in Maluku
Ahead of the Christmas celebration on December 25, the people of Maluku, especially in Ambon City, will hold a traditional event called Cuci Negeri Soya. The event is usually held in the second week of December.
It is led by Upulatu (King) Soya. Cuci Negeri Soya is carried out in a series of activities such as cleaning the country, climbing Mount Sirimau, the traditional ceremony of Cuci Negeri, Cuci Air (Wai Werhalouw and Unuwer) and entering Kain Gandong.
This traditional event has become a tradition that has been going on for years since ancient times. However, the Cuci Negeri Soya can still be preserved today.
The Cuci Negeri ceremony aims to cleanse the country and purify oneself from feelings of enmity, malice, and mutual suspicion.
9. Kunci Taon, Christmas Customs in North Sulawesi
Christmas is always a happy day for Christians everywhere. This is no exception for Christians in North Sulawesi.
Although the Christmas celebration usually starts on December 24 in North Sulawesi, the atmosphere has begun to be felt even since December 1.
People will start traditions of Christmas in various ways until it reaches its peak on the 25th.
One of the unique traditions Christians have to celebrate Christmas is the Kunci Taon tradition, which can literally be translated as locking the year.
In Kunci Taon celebrations, the community gathers, and parades and people wear special costumes with a certain theme. The event is usually held during the first week of December.
In addition to parading, throughout December, people will install decorative lights in front of their respective homes. Kunci Taon is also a tradition carried out by the community to welcome the turn of the year.
10. Balinese Celebration of Christmas, Ngejot and Penjor
In Bali, Christmas celebrations are marked by the Ngejot tradition, where people deliver gifts of Balinese food to each other. Uniquely, traditional clothing and street decorations with penjor give a special impression of religious harmony on the island.
In addition to decorating houses with decorated Christmas trees and other trinkets, they also put up penjor.
Penjor is usually used as a means of prayer by Balinese Hindus. However, for Christians in Blimbingsari Village, Jembrana Regency, penjor is also used as a Christmas decoration.
The congregation of Santa Maria Immaculata Catholic Church in Tabanan wears traditional Balinese clothes when carrying out a series of Christmas services.
Not only in Tabanan, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church Palasari Jembrana congregation also wears Balinese traditional clothes every holiday.
Christians in Banjar Palasari, Eka Sari Village, Melaya District, Jembrana, visit graves before Christmas using canang and incense like Balinese Hindus.
