Dirgahayu Republik Indonesia!

{Long Live Indonesia!}

While there are definitely things about Indonesia that I don't understand, don't like, or don't agree with (that can apply to the US too!), I can still say that I am proud to live here, and happy to celebrate Indonesia's independence with my Indonesian friends and school!

"Tujuh belas Augustus tahun empat lima. Itulah hari kemerdekaan kita!"

"August 17, of '45. That's our independence day!" 

Two Saturday's ago was Indonesia's 68th year of Independence, but as a school we celebrated it on Friday because it was our first full week in school. Celebrating independence day is a big tradition. Our national staff works so hard every year to make it special and memorable! The day begins with a whole school flag ceremony, which is very formal and "by the books". Our Indonesian principal, Ibu Daisy, leads the ceremony while senior school students take part in the readings, demonstrations, and actual raising of the flag. 

photo credit: Marc Bergen's fb

They're smiles here, but during the ceremony, they were ALL business!

All of it is done with such care and precision, and as an audience, it is a time to be silent and attentive. While standing, you must stand silently and straight with your hands in fists at your side (this is so hard to do with six and seven year olds!). Ibu Daisy also gives a speech. . . but it's traditional that it is in Bahasa, so unfortunately we (and quite a few of our students) couldn't understand it. I was told it was wonderful though, about how true independence is the freedom we receive from Christ. 

At the end of the official ceremony, the grade 12 indonesian students performed two fun songs. It was neat to see them celebrating in a fun way, and showing their talents (rapping, dancing, etc) while honoring their country. It was also enjoyable for all of us to watch, even if we couldn't understand the words! 

After the flag ceremony in the morning, the rest of the day was devoted to games and celebration. The primary and junior school changed into red and white clothes to represent the flag, and the senior school changed into their house team colors. And this is where the craziness began! I say craziness, because it is SO hard to manage young students in a gym full of their friends, when games are the only agenda. Not to mention, I sprained my ankle a few days ago so I was on crutches. . . worst thing ever for this kind of event! And since I've only had my class for seven days total, they're not quite up to par with my expectations of behavior - to say the least. I wanted to pull my hair out multiple times during the day. It's so hard, because they're so darn cute, and yet so darn mischievous at the same time! But at the end of the day, I still love them and still want to be their teacher :) 

Here's a look at our festivities. I only have one picture of what Chris was up to that I stole from somebody's fb page, but he was full of spirit as he led the GREEN team!

photo credit: Syntha's fb

And now, begins the cuteness overload from my class!

A bunch of characters! Especially Little Spidy/Superman in the left corner! 

sweet face. crazy personality.

Ready for games! 

There were five different games played - all traditional Independence Day games.  

warning: pretty sure you will see a lot more of this adorable face in my future pictures.

telling him how it's done. . .

And this game: Makan Krupuk "eating crackers". This is basically the indonesian version of bobbing for apples. Supposed to be hand free. . .

Caught ya!

Anyone recognize this face from last year???

She finished first!

And, as if we didn't have enough excitement for the day, the teachers had a go at it! 

Goin' after it! PS. I won! (Not sure if I should be proud of being the fastest face stuffer. . .)

And, I want to tell you about one more traditionally "festive" way to celebrate Independence Day. It's called Panjat Pinang. I googled an explanation and went with this one because it shares the history, and some varying opinions.

Dating back to the Dutch colonial days, Panjat Pinang is one of the oldest, most popular traditions in Indonesia.

Panjat Pinang is a very unique way of celebrating Indonesia’s Independence Day. Every year, in towns and villages around the country, tall nut-trees are chopped down and their trunks placed vertically, in the center of each settlement. A wheel full of prizes is placed on top, before the trunk is covered with oil and clay, and young men are invited to try and reach the prizes.

This type of pole climbing was introduced to the Indonesians, by Dutch colonists, who came up with it as a form of entertainment. Every time an important event took place (like a wedding, or national holiday) they would install a Panjat Pinang pole and watch the natives attempt to reach the prizes.

Since the nut-tree poles are fairly high and very slippery, a single climber would have almost no chance of reaching the top, so contestants usually work together and split the rewards, if they succeed. Prizes consist of foods, like cheese, sugar, flour, and clothes (TVs and bicycles in some areas). You might not think them worth the trouble, but for poor Indonesians, these are luxury items.

There is some controversy surrounding Panjat Pinang. While most Indonesians believe it is an educational challenge that teaches people to work together and work hard in reaching their goals, there are those who say Panjat Pinang is a degrading display that sends the wrong kind of message to Indonesia’s youth. There’s also the environmental issue of cutting down a significant number of nut-trees for such a hedonistic celebration.

Different, huh? 

Well, that's all for now. It was a fun Friday full of celebration, but definitely made us ready for a little R & R.