Indonesia Culture

Modern day Indonesia may be thriving with well-preserved colonial structures and influences, but there are plenty of ancient cultures still evident throughout the archipelago. Despite the many different cultures within and between islands, the largest influence in Indonesia was Hindu that dominated the island during the Majahapit civilization. Even today, many of the ancient traditions are derived from Hindu, including the legendary shadow puppetry known as wayang kulit and the gamelan orchestra. The local people are generally easygoing and friendly to visitors, but there are important etiquette tips to remember. Never use the left hand for anything, and saving face has become an important aspect of modern Indonesian society.