Knowing the characteristics of the West Java region to get to know it better
Of course, there are characteristics of the West Java region that you need to know in order to get to know this province more closely. As we know, West Java is one of those provinces that attracts a lot of attention where the capital Bandung is a tourist destination for different types of people.
There are really interesting things in this province that make many people look forward to vacationing in that place. For those who want to get to know this place better, you need to know some of the properties owned where each region of Indonesia has different characteristics.
Knowing these characteristics, you can get to know this area more deeply. Along with knowing its characteristics, you can know that all regions of Indonesia are very unique. Here are some characteristics of the West Java region that you should know where to distinguish this province from others.
Of course, this characteristic is known not only by outsiders, but also indigenous peoples from Western Java. In addition, in this province there are many districts that have their own uniqueness. So it’s a shame that as an Indonesian citizen you don’t know the uniqueness of each region.
Moreover, the characteristics of West Java are not only in terms of culture, but also in its culinary. With information like this, you can find out that Indonesia is very rich in culture and culinary.
But what is very unfortunate is that many young people know nothing about Indonesia even about the area where they live alone. This condition, if left unchecked, could cause the younger generation to lose their love for their country.
Daily use of regional languages
One of the characteristics of the West Java region is the use of its regional languages in everyday life, as we know that Indonesia has many tribes so there are also many regional languages. So it is no wonder that although it is an island, there are many and different regional languages.
For West Java itself also has a special regional language, namely Sundanese. Of course, Sundanese has a vocabulary that is different from other languages so it is easy to distinguish. Plus this language is also used in everyday life besides Indonesian.
So the use of this language is not only limited by the Sundanese but has been used by all people in West Java. Because the use of this language is very important to support daily activities.
Therefore, since language is one of the characteristics of the West Java region, when you are in a crowd and using the Sundalander language, other tribes will definitely know that you are from West Java just by communicating with that language.
So it is no wonder that knowing that someone is from an area is looking at the language used daily. Although many people currently use Indonesian, the use of regional languages is still carried out so that it continues to exist and is not eroded by time.
Because if the regional language is abandoned, it is a pity for later generations where they do not know the native language of their tribe. In fact, the use of this language is what distinguishes one tribe from another.
Distinctive features of musical instruments
Another feature of the West Java region that you can see is the musical instrument. Of course, each region has its own musical instrument that can be the identity of the area, as well as West Java. For this area itself, surely everyone knows one of its distinctive musical instruments, namely the angklung. Angklung itself is a traditional musical instrument made of bamboo.
In fact, many schools including primary schools in West Java have to provide this traditional musical instrument. In addition, playing it is also different than modern musical instruments like now, because just shaking it will make certain sounds. In fact, due to the popularity of the instrument, it has been known internationally.
In addition to angklung, there are also flute musical instruments that are part of the characteristics of West Java. When viewed from the material, it is almost the same as angklung, which is made of bamboo. But what distinguishes it can be seen from its shape in which the flute is made only of 1 bamboo. Where this musical instrument also has holes that later serve to regulate the tone.
Of course, the number of holes in this instrument also depends on where it is adapted to how many songs will be accompanied. But in general, there are only 4 holes in the flute. Due to the distinctiveness of this instrument, Sundase songs must be accompanied by this flute. In fact, it’s not uncommon when someone is in the rice field entertaining themselves and they’re playing the flute.
Characteristics of the food section
It is undeniable that the characteristics of West Java are also reflected in the food, there are many specialties that are owned and even exist outside the West Java area . This condition shows that there are many people who like the typical food of the province. Call it as batagor or dumplings which is one of the typical West Javanese snacks that are easy to find in the outside.
The food consists of fish meat and is wrapped in spring roll skins and tofu and is given peanut spice. In addition to street food food, there are also typical snacks such as Menes blocks. Blok Menes itself is a typical food made from cassava and grated coconut that serves as shavings. This snack itself consists of two types, namely cadaver blocks and menesblocks.
In addition, there is also oncom rice which is very popular and is even included in one of the characteristics of West Java originating in Tasikmalaya. Oncom rice itself is rice that has been mixed by oncom that has been grilled or fried. During the mixing process, it is not only stirred, but waits so that oncom and rice mix evenly.
In addition, there are also snacks such as green serabi which is a typical Karawang food. Of course, this serabi is different from others because the manufacturing process is almost the same but there are additional suji leaves to make the color greener. Of course, the use of these leaves is to avoid using food coloring so that it becomes safe when consumed.
Characteristics of traditional dances
The characteristics of West Java are also reflected in the traditional dance section where there are many. One of the traditional dances originating in the region of West Java, namely Cirebon, is the mask dance. Where this art has a meaning, namely the story of sunan gunung jati when you want to control the city of Cirebon. But at that time there was an attack carried out by the welang prince so that there was finally war.
The use of masks in this dance has 13 colors in which each type has different characteristics and uses of colors. However, in recent times, many have only used red and white colors and the use of masks is also adapted to the theme of the event being held. In addition to the mask dance, there is also a peacock dance inspired by peacocks.
The peacock itself is the symbol of the crown so the dancers will use the crown when in action. This dance will be accompanied by gamelan music that will be played by three people. Of course, this dance has been very popular even abroad. In addition to the dances above, there is also a jaipong dance that is already very popular.
However, this dance has usedcontroversy as the movements are quite sensual but lately it has begun to be preserved again. Therefore, these are some of the characteristics thatthis province is trying to achieve. Iam not surprised to know the characteristics of West Java this can help preserve it so that future generations know if regional cultural customs or characteristics of West Java are not lost for the time.