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RELIGIONS OF INDONESIA |
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Indonesia has a predominantly Muslim population, though with
significant Buddhist (the Chinese populations in the large cities and in
West Kalimantan), Hindu and animist minorities (in Bali, Irian Jaya,
Sumatra, Kalimantan and other remote outposts). The Batak of North
Sumatra, the Ambonese, Florinese and a few tribes in Irian Jaya and
Kalimantan are the only pockets of Christianity. Yet the major faiths in
the archipelago bear striking differences to their counterparts in other
parts of the world because religion in Indonesia is dynamic, not
dogmatic, adapted over the centuries to incorporate rituals and beliefs
of existing faiths, in particular indigenous animism.
Indonesia is the largest Islamic nation in the world. The northernmost
province of Aceh, which received Islam directly from India, is still the
most orthodox area, whereas Muslims in the rest of the archipelago
follow a style of Islam that has been syncretized with animism, Buddhism
and Hinduism. Nearly all Indonesian Muslims are followers of the Sunni
sect. Women in veils or full purdah are a rare sight in Indonesia, and
men are only allowed two wives, as opposed to four in Arabian countries,
though just one wife is the norm.
Animism is still the predominant faith in some of the villages of the
outlying islands, particularly Sumatra, Kalimantan and Irian Jaya. The
rituals and beliefs vary significantly between each of these islands.
Many of these ancient animist beliefs permeate each of the five major
religions, and many Indonesian people, no matter what faith they profess,
still perform animist rituals.
Despite certain obvious similarities, Balinese Agama Hinduism differs
dramatically from Indian and Nepalese Hinduism. At its root lies the
understanding that the natural and supernatural world is composed of
opposing forces, such as good and evil, order and disorder, gods and
demons - and that these forces need to be balanced. Positive forces, or
dharma, are represented by the gods and need to be honoured with
offerings, dances, paintings and sculptures, fine earthly abodes
(temples) and rituals. The malevolent forces, adharma, which manifest
themselves as earth demons and cause sickness, death and volcanic
eruptions, need to be neutralized with elaborate rituals and special
offerings. All Balinese gods are manifestations of the supreme being,
Sanghyang Widi Wasa, a deity who is only ever represented by an empty
throne-shrine, that stands in the holiest corner of every temple.
Sanghyang Widi Wasa's three main aspects manifest themselves as the
Hindu trinity: Brahma, Wisnu and Siwa. Siwa's consort is the terrifying
goddess Durga, whose Balinese personality is the gruesome widow-witch
Rangda, queen of the demons.
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