Indonesia

From Psychedelic Traveller

The Republic of Indonesia (Indonesian: Republik Indonesia), is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia comprises 17,508 islands, and with an estimated population of around 237 million people, it is the world's fourth most populous country, and has the largest Muslim population in the world. The nation's capital city is Jakarta. The country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Malaysia. Other neighboring countries include Singapore, Philippines, Australia, and the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Across its many islands, Indonesia consists of distinct ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. The Javanese are the largest and most politically dominant ethnic group. Indonesia has developed a shared identity defined by a national language, ethnic diversity, religious pluralism within a majority Muslim population, and a history of colonialism including rebellion against it. Indonesia's national motto, "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" ("Unity in Diversity" literally, "many, yet one"), articulates the diversity that shapes the country. Despite its large population and densely populated regions, Indonesia has vast areas of wilderness that support the world's second highest level of biodiversity. The country is richly endowed with natural resources, yet poverty is a defining feature of contemporary Indonesia.

[2010] Famous for its art: INDONESIA

written by Marge

In Indonesia the psytrance scene has always been mainly located in Bali, a well-known tourist and surfing destination also famous for its art. Bali’s artists have been painting psychedelic backdrops and creating colourful decorations for years, this is why this island has become the destination of psychedelic fashion designers and party-decorators who, inspired by local expertise, have developed party clothes collections and use Bali-made psychedelic backdrops to decorate parties around the world.

The psychedelic art side and the development of Bali as a tourist destination led to the organisation of some trance parties in the past, but because of strict legislation, the party scene has always been very small. However, lately the scene has been growing again and some interesting and high-quality parties have been organised in amazing locations, both in Bali and in Gili Air.

Bali has recently seen a growth of psytrance events. Only in 2009, two psytrance music festivals were held: the Kintamani Aware Dance festival in May and the Vayeb'Ku Day out of Time at Mount Agung in July. Thanks to breath-taking locations, special focus on details and decorations as well as an international line-up of talented djs, both festivals were a success. Impressive 3D structures, good music, vibrant energies, mandalas with seeds and flowers, the view on the volcanic lake at the Kintamani festival and the white beach at the Agung gathering left people longing for more of such special events.

Gili Air is a small Muslim island off Lombok where in the last five years there has been a real psychedelic contamination. In fact, some foreign djs and decorators moved to the island; some local djs started playing and developed a passion for trance music. They started organising small parties and now psychedelic trance music events are held regularly on the island, in a close collaboration between local people and foreigners. Gili Air parties are held on the beach on the quietest side of the island, with a view on Gili Meno and Mount Agung in Bali. They are free, rich of decorations and of all the people’s energy, who come from all over to enjoy the spirit of free open air parties. The line-up is never closed and international artists passing by can join the consolle, mixing alongside local and resident foreign djs.

Although there IS a trance scene in Indonesia, neither the scene nor the kind of parties can be compared to other popular psytrance destinations and parties such as Brazil, [Goa] or Kopangan, not only for their size, but also for the kind of people and vibes. Most of the parties are advertised online and it is always possible to take part in the organisation by giving a help with the decorations or playing; however, always remember that these are small quality parties conceived for a peaceful diverse crowd, in a true tropical and friendly environment in the middle of the nature and in total respect with local culture. Hopefully in the future the scene will remain as it is: a psychedelic, tropical and open family organising trance gatherings on a regular basis, parties in which the only stars are the countless celestial bodies above your head when you dance...

With more than 17,000 islands and 230 million people, Indonesia is a large, incredibly diverse country with a rich and vibrant culture that has much to offer. Although our scene is very small, you will fall under the charm of Indonesia sceneries and will be hit by this tropical Asian culture and vibes. Indonesian nature as well will strike you; emerald green jungles, amazing marine life, colourful tropical flowers, unexpected fauna, lush rice paddies, turquoise sea, mouth-watering fruit and great waves in clean horizons make Indonesia an ideal place for travelling...

Selamat datang di Indonesia!