Jakarta - The 43rd ASEAN Summit was held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) from September 5-7, 2023. Being the host, Indonesia utilizes this opportunity to promote culture to the world.

Because it is held in the Special Capital Region (DKI) Jakarta, three Betawi cultures are promoted to ASEAN countries. What are they? Let's see the complete list!

3 Betawi Cultures at the 43rd ASEAN Summit 2023

1. Kebaya Encim

Quoted from the website of the Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia, Wednesday (6/9/2023), encim kebaya was promoted by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo. She wore this traditional dress when she accompanied President Jokowi to welcome ASEAN leaders at the JCC.

At that time, she wore a blue encim kebaya with floral motifs embroidered with gold and blue threads as a top. On the bottom, Ibu Iriana wore a light blue batik cloth with a matching pattern, complemented by a plain blue shawl.

Kebaya encim is a famous Betawi craft and wasta with Chinese cultural influences. This outfit is usually worn by Betawi women and men wearing sadariah clothes.

The sadariah shirt consists of a white koko shirt with loose-fitting batik pants. The appearance of Betawi men is also enhanced by a velvet skullcap and a cukin slung around the neck.

The sadariah shirt is often also called the koko shirt. The naming is related to the nickname of Chinese men, namely "koko," or when interpreted as the older brother.

2. Cukin

Although part of the completion of the sadariah shirt, the cukin has its role at the 43rd ASEAN Summit 2023. Cukin is a symbol of welcome that is draped around the necks of the leaders of the countries participating in the summit when welcoming arrival.

It is known that cukin has a variety of functions; for example, when worn by a fighter, cukin is a tool to deflect the attack of the opponent's sharp weapon. Cukin is also closely related to the clothing of Betawi nobles.

Generally, Cukin has bright colors such as green, yellow, and others. However, nowadays, the motifs can vary from batik to ondel-ondel, coconut flower, gigi balang, and egg crust.

These images usually correspond to the eight Betawi cultural icons contained in Regional Regulation No. 4/2015 on the Preservation of Betawi Culture.

3. Ngarojeng Dance

Ngarojeng dance is also part of the Betawi culture that is promoted in welcoming the arrival of the leaders of the ASEAN Summit participating countries. Quoting the Jakarta Encyclopedia, Ngarojeng was created by Wiwiek Widiastuti.

The word ngarojeng comes from the word "ngaronggeng ajeng" because it was adapted from Ajeng's music, similar to percussion music. Ajeng music is usually used to accompany bridal ceremonies.

The Setu Babakan Betawi website explains that the rhythm of Ajeng music has a beat that expresses resilience, patience, and strength to live life. This dance is accompanied by traditional Betawi music, namely gambang kromong, to welcome the ASEAN Summit participants.

This music comes from the friction of ‘tehyan’ and ‘kongahyan’ combined with drums, gongs, xylophones, kromong, kecrek, and humming flutes.

Those 3 Betawi cultures were promoted at the 43rd ASEAN Summit 2023. Take pride, detikers!

Source: detik.com