Traditional way of life

Most Indonesians live in rural areas and stick to the traditional way of life which has its peculiar features on almost on each individual island. Despite the growing urbanization and western influence, people living in the cities also try to preserve their national traditions. From the first centuries AD the development of the national culture of Indonesia (to be more precise the conglomeration of cultures) was under the cross-influence of India and China, and from the 13th century – under the influence of Islam, which is the prevalent religion in modern Indonesia. In the colonial period the local way of life was influenced by western concepts of the world, the society and the man. Modern Indonesian culture is a complex synthesis in which modern elements are actively replacing the old, traditional ones.

Horseriders. Indonesia, Sulawesi (Celebes). Early 20th cent.		In a village. Indonesia, Sulawesi (Celebes). Early 20th cent.		Portrait of man in military headdress and armor. Malasia. The Dajaks. Early 20th cent.
Couple in festive costumes. Indonesia, Sumatra (Sumatera). The Malay, early 20th c.		Village street with rice storehouses. Indonesia, Sumatra (Sumatera), early 20th c.		Woman with bamboo vessel for water. Indonesia, Sumatra (Sumatera). The Mandailing, early 20th c.
Girl in wedding costume. Indonesia, Sumatra (Sumatera). The Batak, early 20th c.		Half-length portrait of men (font). Indonesia, Sulawesi (Celebes), early 20th c.		Full-length portrait of armed man. Indonesia. Sulawesi (Celebes). The Toradja, early 20th c.
The villagers. Indonesia. Sulawesi (Celebes), early 20th c.		Group portrait of women in traditional dresses. Indonesia. Sulawesi (Celebes), early 20th c.		Group portrait of women in traditional dresses. Indonesia. Sulawesi (Celebes), early 20th c.
At loose hours. Indonesia.		Traditional wear of people of South Sumatra province. Indonesia, Southern Sumatra (Sumatera Selatan).		A child is traditionally carried on a hip, being tied by a sarong - wide piece of fabric. Indonesia, Bali, 1995
Citizen of Jogjakarta. Indonesia, Jogjakarta. Banit S., 1995