THE ORIGIN OF JAKARTA
• Before the city, there was a port
Jakarta's earliest known history centres in the north of the modern city, in Sunda Kelapa, a bustling port known to have existed since the 15th century reign of the Pajajaran dynasty, the last Hindu kingdom of West Java. Fuelled by the spice trade between the Dutch and the Chinese, the port of Sunda Kelapa soon gave birth to the thriving city of Batavia.
The 17th century saw the arrival of the British, the Portuguese and increased Indian influence. By the early 18th century, the city's population had swollen, thanks to Indonesians and Chinese eager to take advantage of Batavia's commercial potential.
Within the city of Batavia, the prosperous Dutch built tall houses and canals in an attempt to create an Amsterdam in the tropics. After centuries of prolonged conflicts between multiple foreign powers and several native dynasties, Batavia reached relative stability under a fragile peace between the Dutch government and a coalition of Indonesian nationalist groups.
The Japanese briefly controlled Batavia and formally changed its name to Jakarta, then relinquished control to the newly independent nation of Indonesia upon the Empire's downfall in 1945. The Japanese occupation in 1942 marked the end of the Dutch colonial rule. Jakarta officially became the capital of the new republic in 1950, five years after the nation proclaimed its independence.
• NATIVE JAKARTA – THE PRIDE OF BETAWI
Having been settled and influenced by multiple foreign powers, the city's population included merchants, missionaries, pilgrims, soldiers, religious figures, settlers, refugees and workers of varying backgrounds. After
generations of calling the city home, this community of mixed descent races and ethnic groups started calling themselves Betawi, which means “people of Batavia” in the early Indonesian tongue.
The Betawi community included not only the populace within the city's borders but also people outside the fortress, called the proto Betawi community. These were locals who were already using the Malay language, which was commonly used in Sumatra and used later on to complete the national language.
Throughout their colourful history, the Betawi have been known to be very outspoken and democratic, with a very strong sense of community. As such, many of the cultures and traditions we see today can be traced back to the many cultures that once occupied the city. In their early history, the Betawi blended the Malay language with neighbouring Sundanese words and borrowed phonetic elements from Javanese, Chinese, Indian, Arab and Dutch languages. The modified and refined version of the language later became the national language and modern Betawi is very similar to the Indonesian language.
Since the end of last century and especially after independence (1945), Jakarta was flooded with immigrants from all over the country seeking a piece of “the Indonesian dream” in the capital. A government census in 2010 showed that only a little more than 25% of Jakarta's 9 million population were genuine “people of Batavia”.
Recent decades have seen these indigenous Jakartans increasingly pushed to the outer, less privileged side of the city, some even by force. Being the earliest settlers, most Betawi never really cared to ratify their claim on the land, which led to them being displaced when corporations and the government enforced their bureaucratic rights.
Unfortunate as most of them may be, the Betawi are still respected as a dominant influence, contributing a decent number of prominent individuals to society. The Betawi also possess unique cultural and traditional values, thanks to their highly diverse lineage. Through their religion, traditional dress, music, customs and culinary variety, the Betawi can be linked to multiple cultures, including Chinese, Indian, Arab, Dutch and Portuguese.
• Destinations in Jakarta Taman Impian Jaya Ancol
As Jakarta's largest and most popular recreation park, more popularly known as “Ancol Dreamland”, Taman Impian Jaya Ancol has an extensive range of attractions that include Seaworld, a water park with artificial waves, a lagoon for fishing and boating, exciting rides such as the Torpedo and the Hysteria, an art centre, a convention hall and a number of hotels.
The Ancol complex also has a large marina, a nationally popular theme park called Dunia Fantasi (Fantasy World), a drive-in theatre. The Pasar Seni art market has a varied collection of Indonesian handicrafts, paintings and souvenirs on sale, while an open-air theatre features live performances by local artists.
National Monument (Monas)
The National Monument is a 132m tower in the centre of Taman Medan Merdeka, Central Jakarta. The building serves as the national monument of the Republic of Indonesia and was built to commemorate the struggle for Indonesian independence.construction of the National Monument began in 1961 under the direction of the first president, Soekarno. With a gold foil-covered flame at the top, Monas was opened to public in 1975.
The Hall of Independence is situated inside the goblet or “cup” part of Monas. The hall, which contains various symbols of independence, can be reached through spiral stairs by the north and south doors. Mechanized bronze doors weighing four tons protect the entrance to a room housing the original text of the Proclamation of Independence, which is stored in a glass case behind a golden door on the west side of the inner wall. The doors, known as Gerbang Kemerdekaan, or the Gates of Independence, open slowly while the nationalist Padamu Negeri song plays followed by a recording of Soekarno reading the text of the proclamation.
National Museum
Located on the western side of Medan Merdeka, Central Jakarta, the National Museum was built in 1862 and is the best of its kind in Indonesia, making it an essential visit for anyone visiting Jakarta for the first time. A very
impressive modern wing was added on the north side of the neo-classical colonial structure in 2007. Visitors are not allowed to take photographs inside the premises.
The museum's enormous collection starts around the open courtyard with some magnificent statuary, including a colossal 4.5m stone image of a Bhairawa king from Rambahan in Sumatra, who is shown trampling on human skulls. The ethnology section is awe-inspiring, with Dayak puppets and wooden statues from Nias bearing beards (a sign of wisdom), as well as some fascinating textiles.
All four floors of the spacious new wing added in 2007 have sections devoted to the origin of mankind in Indonesia, including a model of the Flores hobbit. There is also a superb display of gold treasures from Candi Brahu in Central Java, including some glittering necklaces, armbands and a bowl depicting scenes from the Ramayana.
Jakarta History Museum
Fittingly housed in the old town hall of Batavia is the Jakarta History Museum. Built in 1627, this bell-towered stately Dutch colonial structure was once the epicentre of empire building, serving the administration of the city and as the city law courts. What remains to be seen today is a fine example of colonial era plasterwork and lots of heavy, carved ebony and teak furniture from the Dutch period (plus a disparate collection of exhibits collected from across the nation). Some of the pieces bear magnificent historical value in their exquisiteness, such as the stunning black granite sculpture of Kali, a Hindu goddess associated with death and destruction.
At the back of the museum is the huge bronze Si Jagur cannon. This cannon tapers at one end into a large clenched fist, a sexual symbol in Indonesia. In the far past, childless women would offer flowers and sit astride the cannon in the hope of becoming mothers.
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
Roughly translated as “The beautiful mini Indonesia park”, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah is a whole country in one park. This 100-hectare park has full-scale traditional houses for each of Indonesia's provinces, with displays of regional handicrafts and clothing, a mini-scale Borobudur, an orchid garden and a bird park.
Scattered throughout the grounds are museums, theatres and an IMAX cinema that can be enjoyed for additional entrance fees. Aside from the free cultural performances staged in the mornings every day, many big cultural events take place on Sundays, with a few selected shows also available during the weekdays.
Gelora Bung Karno
A multi-purpose sports stadium located within the Gelora Bung Karno complex, this mega structure is
named after Soekarno, Indonesia's first president. The stadium is mostly used for football matches and has a seating capacity of over 88,000. During the New Order era, under the anti-soekarno policy of former president Suharto, the complex was renamed Gelora Senayan Complex, then Gelora Senayan Main Stadium.
Taman Fatahilla
More widely known now as “Kota”, the old town of Batavia was once the hub of Dutch colonial activity in Indonesia. Much of the one-time grandeur has now rotted, crumbled or been bulldozed away, but Taman Fatahillah, Kota's central cobblestone square, is still reminiscent of the area's heyday.
To reach Taman Fatahillah, you can either take the Koridor I Transjakarta bus from Blok M or Jalan Thamrin to Kota train station and walk, or take a city train from Gondangdia, near Jalan Jaksa, to the train station.
• WHAT TO DO IN JAKARTA
To most Jakartans, shopping and spending the whole day in malls is a form of entertainment that is culturally embedded in their DNA, particularly for the younger generations. Malls are places to hang out and spend happy weekends with family and friends.
Jakarta's malls offer everything from large department stores, luxury boutiques, supermarkets, gyms, upmarket restaurants, food centres, cafes, bookshops, kids' playgrounds and beauty salons, to cinemas, all under one roof and in total air-conditioned comfort. Being as steamy as Jakarta is today, this is one of the main reasons why people spend long hours in malls.
Most believe that Indonesia's shopping capital of Jakarta is one of the most fashionable cities in Southeast Asia. Whether you're a serious spender or half-hearted shopper, Jakarta has something for everyone. The wide variety of things that you can buy in Jakarta is mind boggling, from the best of local handicrafts to haute couture labels. Jakarta has literally hundreds of malls to browse in.
If you are looking for international top designer boutiques, head to the Thamrin-sudirman area, where Grand Indonesia, Plaza Indonesia and FX malls are located. Further south are Senayan Plaza and Senayan City, while in the Kebayoran area are malls catering to upmarket clientele, such as Gandaria City, Dharmawangsa Square, Pasaraya Grande, Pondok Indah Mall and Kemang. Then there is Pacific Place at Kuningan, another favourite haunt. But each of Jakarta's many districts has one or more mall, so finding things to buy and eat is always within easy reach.
Batik today is very trendy in Indonesia. There are many outlets selling exclusive collections, with some famous names like Danar Hadi, Batik Keris and Batik Semar found in some malls. Indonesian designers also have their own boutiques, mostly found around the Kemang area. For
wholesale and reasonably priced batik clothes, materials and accessories, head to Thamrin Plaza. Textiles and dresses produced domestically or imported can be found at Blok A Tanah Abang, or head to Mangga Dua in North Jakarta. Pasar Baru is a traditional shopping area where you will find rows of textile shops. Indonesia is also a large producer of handbags and shoes; which can also be found here and in the larger malls.
For Indonesian handicrafts, the best places are Batik Keris, Pasaraya Grande, Sarinah or Grand Indonesia. Here you will find complete collections of batik, ikat textiles, silverware, wood carvings and more. The UKM Gallery (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Gallery) on Gatot Subroto is another handicraft centre.
• THE MODERN BIG DURIAN
Spanning an area of 661 square kilometres (255 square miles) Jakarta is one of the world's largest cities, and currently the largest city in Southeast Asia. Located on the coast of Java, the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta is an autonomous province consisting of five municipalities, namely: Central, North, West, East and South Jakarta and the District of Pulau Seribu, or the Thousand Islands.
Jakarta's metro area is so large it has its own name: Jabodetabek (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi) and has an estimated population of over 25 million people. Jakarta is now considered a global city and the capital of one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Interestingly, Jakarta now has the highest return on investment for luxury real estate compared to any other city on earth. Jakarta is one of Indonesia's designated tourist areas. It is a gateway to other tourist destinations in Indonesia and is equipped with all the means of modern transportation: air, sea, rail and land. It has the largest and most modern airport in the country and the most important harbour in Indonesia. As Indonesia's main gateway, Soekarno-hatta International Airport serves a growing number of international airlines and domestic flights.
Over the last several decades, Jakarta has proudly developed into one of Asia's most prominent metropolitan centres. Today, Jakarta's skyline is covered by modern high rises. The many state-of-the-art shopping centres, recreation complexes and toll roads have become hallmarks of the city. The quality of life and the general welfare of its inhabitants have improved considerably with the city's fast pace of development. Jakarta's cultural richness and dynamic growth contribute significantly to its growing importance as one of the world's leading capital cities.
Jakarta is a city of contrasts; the traditional and the modern, the rich and the poor, the sacral and the worldly, often stand side by side in this bustling metropolis. Even its population, gathered from all those diverse ethnic and cultural groups that compose Indonesia, is a constant reminder of the national motto: Unity in Diversity.