Indonesian Sisters Bridge Cultures Through Martial Arts

Zeela Nebulani and Zoura Nebulani are Indonesian siblings of Chinese descent from Fujian Province. Raised in a family of martial arts practitioners, with both parents working as professional martial arts coaches, Zeela began her martial arts training at the age of 6 and started practising Tai Chi at 12. In September 2024, Zeela commenced her studies at Rizhao Polytechnic University in Shandong Province, China, where she is majoring in international trade. Inspired by her older sister, Zoura also enrolled at the same university and took up a similar major this year. During their studies, the sisters have not only focused on academic activities but have also continued their daily martial arts training. In their spare time, they participate in various cultural performances on campus and exchange activities with young people from China and other countries. They also produce bilingual short videos highlighting the coastal scenery of Rizhao, local folk traditions, and daily life, which they share on various social media platforms in Indonesia. They introduce Indonesian culture to their lecturers and fellow students, thereby promoting cultural exchange between China and Indonesia. Zeela and Zoura hope to act as a cultural bridge for the younger generations in China and Indonesia, and to contribute to strengthening the friendship between the two countries.