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 to get to know this province more closely. As we know, West Java is one of the provinces that attracts a lot of attention, with the capital Bandung being a tourist destination for various kinds of people.
Of course, there are interesting things in this province that make many people look forward to vacationing in that place. For those of you who want to get to know this place more closely, you need to know some of the characteristics it has, with each region in Indonesia having different characteristics.
By knowing these characteristics, you can get to know this area more deeply. Along with knowing its characteristics, you can know that all regions in 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 property is not only known to outsiders, but also to the natives of West Java. Moreover, in this province, many districts have their own uniqueness. So it’s a pity 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 terms of culinary. With information like this, you can find that Indonesia is very rich in culture and culinary.
But what is very unfortunate is that many young people don’t know anything about Indonesia, even though the area where they live alone. This condition, if left unchecked, can cause the younger generation to lose love for their country.
Daily use of regional languages
One of the characteristics of the West Java region is the use of its regional language in everyday life, because we know that Indonesia has many tribes, so there are also many regional languages . So it’s no wonder that even though it is an island, there are many and different regional languages.
West Java itself also has a special regional language, namely the Sundanese language. Of course, Sundanese has a different vocabulary from other languages, so it is easy to distinguish. Plus this language is also used in everyday life in addition to Indonesian.
So the use of this language is also not only restricted by the Sundanese, but has been used by everyone in West Java. Because the use of this language is very important to support daily activities.
Therefore, because language is one of the characteristics of the West Java region, when you are crowded and use the Sundanese language, other tribal people will definitely know that you are from West Java just by communicating using that language.
So it’s no wonder that knowing someone is from an area is looking at the language used daily. Although currently many people use Indonesian, regional languages are still used so that they still exist and are not eroded by time.
Because if the vernacular is abandoned, it is a pity for later generations, where they don’t know the native language of the tribe. In fact, the use of this language is what distinguishes one tribe from another.
Distinctive features of musical instruments
Another characteristic of the West Java region that you can see is the musical instrument. Of course, each region has its own musical instrument that can become a regional identity as well as West Java. For this area itself, I’m sure everyone knows one of its signature musical instruments, the angklung. Angklung itself is a traditional musical instrument made of bamboo.
In fact, many schools, including elementary schools in West Java, have to provide this traditional musical instrument. Moreover, it is also different from modern musical instruments like now, because just shaking them will make a certain sound. In fact, due to the popularity of the instrument, it has become known internationally.
In addition to angklung, there is also a flute musical instrument that is included in the characteristics of West Java. Judging from the material, it is almost the same as angklung made of bamboo. But what distinguishes it can be seen from its shape, where the flute is only made of 1 bamboo. Where this musical instrument also has a hole that later serves to adjust the tone.
Of course, the number of holes on this instrument also depends on where it is adjusted to how many songs will be accompanied. However, in general, there are only 4 holes in the flute. Because of the characteristics of this instrument, Sundanese songs must be accompanied by this flute. In fact, it is not uncommon for someone to be in the rice field entertaining themselves, then they will play the flute.
Characteristics of the food part
It is undeniable that the properties of West Java are also reflected in its food, there are many typical foods that are owned and even found outside the West Java region . This condition shows that there are many people who like the typical food of the province. Call it batagor or siomay which is one of the typical snacks of West Java, easy to find in the outside area.
The meal consists of fish meat and is wrapped in spring roll skins and tofu and seasoned with nuts. In addition to street food, there are also typical snacks such as the Menes block. Blok Menes itself is a typical food made from cassava and grated coconut which functions as shavings. This snack itself is theenvy of two types, namely the cadaver block andthe mènes block.
In addition, there is also oncom rice which is very popular and even included in one of the characteristics of West Java originating from Tasikmalaya. Oncom rice itself is rice that has been mixed from oncom that has been grilled or fried. During the mixing process it is not only stirred, but waited so that the oncom and rice are evenly mixed.
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 this leaf is to avoid the use of food coloring so that it becomes safe when digested.
Characteristics of traditional dances
The characteristic of West Java is also reflected in the traditional dance section, where there are many of them. One of the traditional dances originating from the West Java region, 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 prince Welang, so that finally there was a war.
The use of masks in this dance has 13 colors, with each type having different color properties and uses. However, lately many only use red and white, and the use of masks is also adjusted 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 a 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 one 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 had attractedcontroversy because of its fairly sensual movements, but recently it has begun to be preserved again. Therefore, these are some of the characteristics that this province aims to achieve. I am not surprised to know the characteristics of West Java, this can help preserve it so that future generations know about regional cultural customs or characteristics of West Java are not lost for the time being.