Story

Friday, March 15, 2019

Kota Tua Jakarta ("Jakarta Old Town"), officially known as Kota Tua,is a neighborhood comprising the original downtown area of Jakarta, Indonesia. It is also known as Oud Batavia (Dutch "Old Batavia"), Benedenstad (Dutch "Lower City", contrasting it with Weltevreden, de Bovenstad ("Upper City")), or Kota Lama (Indonesian "Old Town").

The site contains Dutch-style structure mostly dated from 17th century, when the port city served as the Asian headquarter of VOC during the heyday of spice trade. It spans 1.3 square kilometres within North Jakarta and West Jakarta (Kelurahan Pinangsia, Taman Sari and Kelurahan Roa Malaka, Tambora). The largely Chinese downtown area of Glodok is a part of Kota Tua.

Kota Tua is a remainder of Old Batavia, the first walled settlement of the Dutch in Jakarta area. It was an inner walled city with its own Castle. The area gained importance during the 17th-19th century when it was established as the de facto capital of the Dutch East indies. This inner walled city contrasted with the surrounding kampung (villages), orchards, and rice fields. Dubbed "The Jewel of Asia" in the 16th century by European sailors, the area was a center of commerce due to its strategic location within the spice trade industry in the archipelago.

Friday, March 15, 2019

Si Pitung (old spelling: Si Pitoeng) or Pitung is a 19th century bandit in Batavia, the Dutch East Indies (now Jakarta, Indonesia). His actions have created various legends about his biography, adventures and death.

Si Pitung was born in the village of Pengumben, a slum in Rawabelong, near Palmerah Station today. The son of the four couples, Bang Piung and Mbak Pinah  is real name Salihoen. According to oral history, the nickname "Si Pitung" comes from the Javanese phrase "pituan pitulung" which means "seven friends of help". As a child, Salihoen studied at Hadji Naipin boarding school, where he was taught to recite, trained in pencak silat, and was accustomed to always be aware of the surrounding conditions.

Basically there are three versions of the Si Pitung story circulating in the community, namely the Indonesian, Dutch and Chinese versions. Each version highlights Si Pitung's personal with its own assessment. The Pitung was praised as a hero in the Indonesian version, but was criticized as a villain in the Dutch version.

The story of Si Pitung is spoken by the people of Indonesia today and is part of the legend and Betawi cultural heritage in particular and Indonesia in general. The story of Si Pitung is sometimes spoken in the form of rancak (a kind of ballad), poetry, or Lenong story. In the version of Koesasi (1992), Si Pitung is portrayed as a popular Betawi figure, a pious Muslim, and an example in upholding social justice.

Friday, March 15, 2019

Betawi Dodol is a type of dodol typical of the Betawi tribe. Betawi dodol is brownish black with fewer flavors than dodol from other regions. Dodol Betawi taste only consists of white sticky rice, black sticky rice and durian. The process of making dodol betawi is very complicated. The raw material for making consisting of sticky rice, brown sugar, granulated sugar and coconut milk must be stored on the stove with firewood for 8 hours. Betawi Dodol is generally made as a special snack for parties, Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha. More precious holidays, dodol betawi sold out. Because the manufacturing process is complicated, only a few experts make dodol betawi.

Located in Jakarta and surrounding areas which still produce dodol betawi, especially in Betawi community, such as in Condet, East Jakarta, Bogor and Bekasi. Besides Betawi residents, dodol betawi was also made by the Chinese community.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Thandie Newton regularly delights on the red carpet, but at last night’s premiere of Dumbo, she delivered a particularly special style moment. The Tim Burton film features the onscreen debut of Newton’s 14-year-old daughter, Nico Parker, and mother and child coordinated their looks to commemorate the occasion. Newton arrived at Los Angeles’ El Capitan Theater in a ruby fringed cocktail number from Oscar de la Renta and Parker sported a deep green Gucci minidress with an age-appropriate pink bow, in effect delivering dual perspectives on how to wear velvet.

Styled by Jason Bolden with Ippolita jewels and strappy sandals, Newton was flawless as always, but the night belonged to Parker, who made waves at her first major event as an actress. Her proud parents looked on as she stepped into the spotlight, and so Parker began her Hollywood career on a high note.

Monday, March 4, 2019

Asinan is a type of food that is made by means of vandalism, the ingredients which are referred to are various types of vegetables and fruits. Asinan is one of Indonesian culinary specialties. Requirements for the preservation process by soaking fruits or vegetables in a mixture of water and salt. Asinan is very similar to rujak, distinguishing between other ingredients rujak is served fresh, while the pickled ingredients are served in a marinated or pickled state. There are many types of pickles, but the most famous are Asinan Betawi and Asinan Bogor. Asinan can be found sold in restaurants, stalls, and mobile traders in Indonesia.

Monday, March 4, 2019

Tari Lenggang Nyai adalah salah satu kesenian tari masyarakat Betawi di Jakarta yang terinspirasi dari kisah hidup Nyai Dasimah. Tarian ini merupakan tarian kreasi baru yang di ambil dari sebuah cerita rakyat, sehingga banyak pesan dan makna yang di gambarkan melalui tarian ini.

Menurut sejarahnya, Tari Lenggang Nyai ini di ciptakan oleh seorang seniaman tari dari Yogyakarta bernama Wiwik Widiastuti. Karena kecintaannya pada kesenian tari di Indonesia dan kebudayaan Betawi membuat seniman ini menciptakan sebuah kreasi tarian baru berlatar belakang cerita rakyat Betawi yaitu cerita Nyai Dasimah. Nama Tari Lenggang Nyai sendiri berasal dari kata “lenggang” yang berarti “melengak – lengok” dan kata “nyai” yang di ambil dari cerita Nyai Dasimah.

Gerakan dalam Tari Lenggang Nyai ini menggambarkan karakter dan cerita dari Nyai Dasimah. Dalam pertunjukannya, penari menari dengan gerakan yang lincah yang menggambarkan keceriaan dan keluwesan gadis Betawi. Kelincahan tersebut terlihat dari gerak tubuh, kaki dan tangan para penari yang bergerak secara dinamis. Selain itu ada gerakan dari satu sisi ke sisi lain yang menggambarkan kebingungan Nyai Dasimah saat mengambil keputusan untuk memilih pendamping hidupnya.

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Tari cokek is a traditional originating from the culture of the Betawi people, DKI Jakarta. This dance comes from the acculturation of Chinese culture and Betawi culture in the past. The origin of this dance is thought to have started when there was a Chinese landlord named Tan Sio Kek who often held parties at his house. This party features Chinese-style music with instruments such as 2 sawai trigon which are combined with traditional Betawi musical instruments, such as flutes, gongs and drums. The guests who came along danced to the rhythm of the tetabuan that was played, so that gradually this dance was created called Cokek.

The name of Cokek's own dance is thought to originate from the last name used in the dance. However, there are also those who argue that the name comes from the name of the landlord. And until now the Cokek dance still exists especially in the culture of the Betawi community.

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Gabus pucung adalah masakan khas Betawi yang diolah dari bahan baku ikan gabus dengan kuah warna hitam. Gabus pucung adalah gabungan nama dari kata "gabus" dan "pucung". Gabus (Ikan Gabus) adalah isi dari sayur tersebut, dan pucung atau kluwek adalah pewarna sayur tersebut. Cara pembuatan masakan ini mirip dengan sayur ikan biasa dengan tambahan pucung untuk pewarna sayur.

Di era penjajahan Belanda, jenis ikan seperti ikan mas dan mujaer terbilang mahal. Untuk menyiasatinya, warga Betawi memilih untuk menggunakan ikan gabus yang bebas mereka dapatkan karena berkembang secara liar di tempat-tempat tersebut.
Gabus pucung sendiri masuk dalam salah satu tradisi budaya Betawi yang berkembang di zamannya. Tradisi itu biasa disebut nyorog atau mengantarkan makanan yang dimasak oleh anak untuk diberikan kepada orangtua atau oleh menantu kepada mertua. Tradisi ini biasa dilakukan menjelang puasa atau Lebaran sebagai pengikat tali silaturahmi.