'Indonesia!' attempts to heighten American interest in the country

Despite its huge size and population -- more than 17,500 islands inhabited by 200 million people -- as well as its status as one of the world's fastest growing economies, the archipelago nation of Indonesia remains largely unnoticed by Americans. In an attempt to heighten American knowledge of the country's importance, the Indonesian Students Association of Philadelphia held a day-long event at the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Saturday in celebration of Indonesia's people and culture. "If you hear anything about Indonesia, it's the corruption and human rights [violations]," said Ian Tanuwijaya, a Drexel University senior and one of the chairpersons of the event. "I want everyone to know that? Indonesia also has a lot of good things, especially the culture." Callista Murimba, a Syracuse University student who joined the ISA while living in Philadelphia, echoed those sentiments. "I think we feel that not a lot of people know about Indonesia," she said. "This is the second-best thing to going to Indonesia -- we brought Indonesia here." The ISA sought to achieve that goal with a variety of activities Saturday, including flying in performers from Indonesia, especially for the cultural extravaganza. Highlights of the day -- appropriately entitled "Indonesia!" -- included a dance troupe from West Sumatra which performed traditional folk dances from its region and a fashion show showcasing dresses worn in various Indonesian cultures. Groups from New York and Washington also performed gamelan music. A gamelan is an all-percussion musical ensemble common in Indonesia. Tanuwijaya said more than 2,500 people attended the event, making it one of the most popular events in the museum's "World Culture Day" series. "It's always good to be exposed to new cultures and ideas," Education graduate student Melissa Meade said. "It makes you more aware." College senior Yara Vergucht added that she didn't know anything about Indonesia before Saturday. "Maybe now I'll go travel there." The ISA spent two years working on the event, according to Tanuwijaya. He and others worked full-time for six months to secure funding and commitments from Indonesian musical and dance troupes. The day coincided with the opening of a new museum photography exhibit entitled "Eggi's Village: Life Among the Minangkabau of Indonesia," spokesperson Pam Kosty said. Museum curator Peggy Sanday took the exhibit's photographs over a 16-year period. The 45 photos of the Minangkabou, the largest matriarchal society in the world today, will be on exhibit until December 7. Noting that the program's organizers were pleased with the event's success, Tanuwijaya said museum officials have already asked him if the ISA would organize a similar event next year.