About Indonesia

     The country of Indonesia lies in SE Asia and Oceana and is the worlds largest archipelago state. Stretched out over 14,000 islands, home to some 300 different ethnic groups, it contains an overwhelming diversity of geography and people. Indonesians have had to integrate a vast array of beliefs, landscapes, materials, and yes, sounds into their world view

     The location and culture of Indonesia, and its most populous island Java, remain largely unknown to many outside its region. Still, now and then it breaks through the news; there was the tsunami of 2001; there are often new species discovered in its many jungles; and then of course, Barak Obama spent part of his youth in the capital Jakarta. Nonetheless Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world and home to the worlds largest Muslim population, yet still, our attention remains largely elsewhere.

     Indonesia has much to offer though, serving as an ideal example of a harmonized voice of a complex history. Animism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sufism, Christianity and Islam have made an indelible mark on every aspect of its culture. Colonialism, communism and modernism (including pop cuIture) play parts too. Its all there moment by moment.more…