While most Christians tend to commemorate the birth of Jesus on December 25, Indonesians celebrate Christmas in more diverse ways than we can imagine.
If you are bored of picturing Santa with a long beard, riding magic reindeers, then picture this! The Indonesian Santa has a short, trimmed beard and knocks at peoples doors, speaking fluent Javanese! He doesn't wear the red long sleved costume, instead, he goes for the
traditional striped lurik (an Indigenous Javanese handwoven fabric.)
Living in a tropical country, this Santa doesn't ride a sleigh pulled by magical reindeer, instead, he pedals a rickshaw followed by elves.
In East Java's Poh Sarang church, the Choir sings songs in Javanese along with the pentatonic melody of a group of traditional musicians playing gamelan.
The traditional foods vary but one very popular food is dodol. The sweet sticky cake made of glutinous rice replaces the Western style Christmas cakes or ginger bread.
These are only a few of the many traditions that the Indonesians hold.
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