Jakartans in festive mood

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Many Jakartans were busy beautifying their neighborhoods with red-and-white bunting and decorations, and preparing themselves for fun and games two days before the country's 59th Independence Day on Aug. 17.

Hasan, a resident of Kali Pasir subdistrict in Cikini, Central Jakarta, said that preparing for Independence Day was the only activity that brought all residents together.

"Nearly all the people living here contribute to the work. Some contribute money, others do the physical work," Hasan told The Jakarta Post on Sunday, while putting up a string of used plastic cups painted red and white over a road on the slum along the banks of the Ciliwung river. In fact, slum and densely populated residential areas are more brightly decorated than upscale residential areas.

In the plush areas of Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, and Menteng, Central Jakarta, for example, less decorations were to be seen as of Sunday, although nearly all homes had hoisted the national flag.

Only seasonal decorations, like banners and colorful lamps put up by the developers, were to be seen along the major roads in those areas.

Besides decoration made out of used and discarded items, slum area residents had also erected ceremonial gates on the entrances to their neighborhoods.

Most of the gates were painted with pictures reminding the younger generation about how their elders had fought during the independence struggle.

It's easy to understand why residents reach deep into their pockets to decorate their areas as under the New Order regime all areas were required to compete with each other for a trophy from the subdistrict chief for the most attractive decorations and interesting activities.

While this competition is not as popular today, the fun and games of independence day are as popular as ever. To highlight the celebrations, each neighborhood organizes various competitions, such as the traditional areca pole climbing, where participants attempt to climb to the top of a greased pole made from an areca palm. The first to the top gets the presents and cash prize that have been hung there. At the end of the day, various types of entertainment are put on, like dangdut (a local style of pop music) shows.

Widya, of neighborhood unit 10 in Suradita subdistrict, Tangerang, said his neighborhood had planned several events for the eve of the Independence Day, like a dinner for all residents, and karaoke, chess and cards competition.

"On the morning of Independence Day, there will be various games for the children," he told the Post.

Azis, the organizing committee head in another neighborhood in the same subdistrict, said his committee was also organizing dinner for all the residents on the eve of Independence Day, and games for children and their parents on Aug. 17.

"It doesn't have to be an extravagant celebration. The most important thing is that we are all happy on Independence Day," he remarked.