Indonesian Gifts from Java and Bali

Indonesian gifts are flavored
with symbols from a multicultural heritage.

Indonesian gifts from Java and Bali reflect diverse ethnic and cultural influences. Some are uniquely Indonesian, others add a distinctive Indonesian style to traditions and techniques shared with other countries. All of these art and gift items are hand crafted by Indonesian artisans, and all are Fair Trade gifts.

About Indonesia

Indonesia consists of 18,000 islands (6000 inhabited), straddling the equator northwest of Australia, and stretching 3000 miles west to east. Java is the long, narrow southern island with the nation's capital, Jakarta, at its western end. Just east of Java is Bali, the first of a group of smaller islands.

With 240 million people, Indonesia is the 4th most populous country in the world, and the most populous Muslim-majority country. Indonesia is the world's 3rd largest democracy, after the USA and India. It also has the greatest number of active volcanoes.

Situated along a major trade route, Indonesia has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Now, more than 300 ethnic groups all contribute to modern Indonesian culture. Hindu beliefs arrived from India around 100 BC. Buddhism was also brought from India, and Islam arrived later with Arabic, central Asian and Indian traders.

The Java population largely follows "traditional Islam," which holds firmly to the orthodox ways. Over time, however, Indonesian customs have merged with Islamic law, resulting in a "modern Islam" more generally practiced on a majority of the islands.

The Bali population is mostly Hindu, and most of Indonesia's Hindu minority live on Bali. The most popular tourist area in Indonesia, Bali is also a center for the arts and is well known for music and dance, painting, wood carving, batik and wood batik.

Indonesian Gifts - Unique and Interesting

An Indonesian musical instrument is a likely gift for a music teacher - or a budding musician. The Kecapi is much like a zither with steel strings. This bamboo flute with a pretty floral design produces a soft but sharp tone. And the 1-string Gobijen is certainly interesting - see the product description for how the gobijen is played.

Dance and drama usually tell a story, and a favorite is the Ramayana, an ancient Hindu epic. Rama is the hero. Sita, his wife, is kidnapped by a villain, and Rama enlists the help of a monkey general to rescue her. Rama and Sita appear over and over again in Indonesian gifts; for example:

• The Rama dance crown is worn by the actor/dancer portraying Rama. Made of soft leather, velvet and other materials, this would be an unusual gift for a dancer.



• Rama wears a very similar crown in this "Resting Rama and Sita" statuette carved from crocodile wood. What a nice anniversary or wedding gift, a tribute to married love, faithfulness and courage.



• Here is a Rama mask made of albesia wood, with a beautifully detailed design. A fitting gift for an actor - and because masks recall legends and characters from many different cultures, they make fascinating collectibles (= gift ideas for next year too!).

Historic figures, gods, and legendary characters inspire other Indonesian gifts, particularly hand carved art pieces and statuettes:

• A wood relief panel showing a seated Buddha in graceful detail. A good housewarming gift, perhaps, to encourage an atmosphere of serenity in the home.



• Ganesha is the well-loved Hindu god of wisdom, with an elephant's head and a human body. This sandstone statuette of Ganesha is beautifully made, a handsome gift for deck, patio or garden.



• In Hindu tradition, dragons are protectors of the gods. Note the fine detail in this wood sculpture of Kwan Im, goddess of mindfulness, and her fierce dragon protector.

Indonesian gifts go beyond the traditional, however. For modern tastes, you'll find some very smart contemporary pieces in several gift categories. Here are two hand carved examples:

• A graceful wood statuette entitled "Everlasting Kiss" - a charming gift for a couple, or perhaps a romantic Valentine gift for your sweetheart.



• Some modern Indonesian gifts seem especially creative, like this whimsical contemporary sculpture. Called "Man in Thought," it's carved from hibiscus wood.

Balinese paintings encompass many categories and styles - Abstract (including Elephant paintings), Buddhist, Nature Scenes, Portraits, and Surrealist, to name a few. This directory of Balinese paintings will help you find a painting that your recipient will enjoy.

Other wall art from Java and Bali includes "lontar" art (designs etched on palm leaf panels), an ancient Balinese technique that predates paper. Hand woven cotton and batik hangings can look their best with hand crafted tapestry rods, and rounding out the large selection of wall art are wood relief panels, mirrors, and masks.

Hundreds of other Indonesian gifts are offered in the NOVICA online store, with enough variety to please most recipients. Here are some that Diane and I find especially interesting, with suggestions about what sort of recipient might like them:

• Wood batik usually features traditional Indonesian motifs. This classic jewelry box design recalling a legendary queen is a just-right gift for a teenage girl with treasures or mementos to store.



• Handbags - If you're looking for a gift for a woman, here are nearly 100 handbags to choose from. TIP: Check out a bag she frequently carries to learn her preferences - size, shape, closure, handles vs. shoulder strap, inside/outside pockets, and so on.



• Ceramic tea set, "Duck Family" includes two cups and saucers. Great gift for a tea lover, or admirer of wildlife. The Coffee and Tea Service collection includes traditional shapes and styles as well as some that are unique or fanciful.



• More sculpture - Of all things to carve, I wouldn't have thought of a coconut shell! "Adventurous Fish" is a good example of the flora and fauna motifs - totally unusual gifts for nature lovers.



• Indonesian dolls - These wonderful dolls are made of crocodile wood and hand loomed ikat cotton. The arms and legs can be posed in natural-looking positions. The dolls are not toys, but charming room decor for kids of all ages, as well as doll collectors.



• Indonesian baskets often have unusual shapes, like this wide and shallow natural fiber basket with lid. Here are more baskets, and you'll find beautiful beaded baskets in the drop-down menu at the top of that page.

If you enjoy gifts from afar, art and handicrafts, or just shopping, you'll love the NOVICA online store, which offers Indonesian gifts in many other categories - apparel and accessories, jewelry gifts by the hundreds, tableware, games, home decor - even Christmas ornaments, and hammocks.

NOVICA operates in association with National Geographic and employs Fair Trade practices that protect artist and environment. You get quality handcrafted gifts at reasonable prices... not to mention the fine customer service always found at National Geographic shops.