Human Rights Education Today
October 2011
Banner photo: Leicester, UK [© Justin Jin/Panos Pictures]
Soka Gakkai Indonesia Contributes to Cultural Activities
SGI-Indonesia members performing a Merak Dance [© Seikyo Shimbun]
Soka Gakkai Indonesia members in Bandung were invited to perform dances and music at an event sponsored by Kongres Wanita Indonesia (KOWANI), known in English as the National Council of Women's Organization of Indonesia, in Jakarta from May 6–9. The event was held in conjunction with the Third ASEAN Confederation of Women's Organization (ACWO) Board Meeting.
For the opening ceremony, SGI-Indonesia young women performed a traditional Merak Dance in costumes inspired by peacocks. On May 8, SGI women from Jakarta performed folk songs with the angklung, an instrument made out of bamboo tubes, as well as a Javanese dance at the event on May 9.
Guests included Hj. Melani Leimena Suharli, deputy chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), and Dr. Dewi Motik Pramono, president of KOWANI.
On June 19, the Betawi Cultural Institute (LKB) sponsored a parade celebrating the diversity of cultures in Indonesia at the National Monument (Monas) grounds in Jakarta. The monument symbolizes the fight for Indonesia's independence. LKB invited the SGI-Indonesia young women's color guard team to perform. Along with the governor of Jakarta, Fauzi Bowo, more than 10,000 guests attended.
At the parade opening, H. Tatang Hidayat, LKB chairman, expressed his appreciation for SGI-Indonesia's support and cooperation for the event and shared his vision of promoting Betawi culture.
The Betawi are the descendants of the people living around Batavia (the colonial name for Jakarta). They have their own culture in terms of music, traditions and food, and have had a great impact on other cultures in and around Jakarta.
