Taman Mini offers recreational and cultural experience

By Marina Kaneti

JAKARTA (JP): The Cook travel guide rates it as one of the biggest tourist attractions in Jakarta. Many residents of Jakarta confess that they have never been there, and everyone agrees that it is best to avoid weekends.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah -- the 210 hectare park built in 1975 -- celebrates the diversity of ethnic and cultural traditions in Indonesia. It features architecture and art from every region in this vast archipelago. One can marvel at the beauty of West Sumatran houses, for example, and then compare the different architectural styles of Irian Jaya and East Timor.

Taman Mini is not only meant as a museum of cultural diversity, but also as a recreational park. A cable car, passing over an artificial lake -- a miniature representation of the archipelago -- goes from the main entrance right to the other end of the park where visitors are greeted by a lively choir from the Bird Park.

For those aware of Indonesia's unique fauna, but unable to explore it themselves, the Bird Park offers a glimpse of quite spectacular species from different parts of Indonesia. Small benches under the Birds Park's trees also create a cozy, relaxing atmosphere -- a nice retreat from the hustle and bustle of the crowds of visitors.

For those who do not appreciate the view of caged and somewhat apathetic birds, there are a number of gardens which offer a glimpse of the no less spectacular Indonesian flora. The biggest one, closest to the main entrance, is the Flower Garden, but the best is probably the Orchid Garden, featuring some 2000 kinds of orchids. There is also a Cactus Garden, a Medicine Herb Garden, and a Jasmine Garden. Those visitors who don't mind the burning tropical sun can opt for a ride on a swan boat which will take them around the artificial lake.

Considering the fact that there are not that many places in Jakarta where one can just walk around and enjoy lakes, gardens, and get a glimpse of Indonesian culture at one and the same time. Taman Mini is quite a treat. There is something more, however, that makes a visit worthwhile -- the various cultural events at the regional pavilions. Every weekend, visitors can choose among dance performances, musical shows, and performances at the Children Palace. The only inconvenience is that all performances start at either 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. and the only way to enjoy an entire event is to forgo the rest of the shows.

For the non-specialist, these performances are far more telling about the different regions and its people than the impressive, but rather impersonal and artificial architecture. It is rare to be able to compare North Sumatran dances to those from Bali only within half an hour.

Different worlds

On Sunday, July 7, dancers from these two regions presented two entirely different worlds. That of the Balinese dancers was much closer to the realm of the sacred, whereas that of the North Sumatrans was much closer to the realm of the secular world, of everyday life and activities.

These two worlds -- of the secular and the sacred -- were present in the gestures, music, and costumes of the dancers. While those of the Balinese dancers were highly sophisticated, creating the idea of unearthly beings, the ones of the Sumatran dancers were simple and far more down-to-earth.

It was interesting to observe, however, that despite all their refinement and highly spiritual quality, the Balinese dancers did not attract as huge a crowd as the North Sumatran ones. The North Sumatran dances were often welcomed with cheers, but applause was rarely heard during the Balinese dance performances. Whether or not this was because the two performances required a different type of reaction and behavior, it seemed inevitable that people would find more delight in something closer to their own reality than the realm of the divine.

Still, despite all the differences, there was one main feature that would allow observers to recognize that the two styles originate from a similar culture. This culture is one based on harmony rather than conflict. Thus, both regions featured dances where individual movements are complementary to rather than contrast with the movements of other dancers.

Folk dance anywhere in Europe, for example, despite many regional differences, is generally based on the idea of conflict and intrigue, often even on competition between dancers themselves. In the case of both the Balinese and the North Sumatran dances the common element was that dancers seek harmony with one another and that personal presentation is entirely submerged.

The two dance performances were not the only thing, however, to provoke involuntary comparisons. The Taman Mini park itself allows for comparison with other parks around the world. Some features, the spectacular buildings for example, remind one of the Temple of Heaven park in Beijing, China. With its recreational facilities and artificial lake, one might compare it to Central Park in New York. Taman Mini, the Temple of Heaven park and the Central Park are all overcrowded on weekends.

In none of the latter, however, cars or motorcycles are allowed around the park on weekends. Taman Mini would be much nicer, less polluted, and far less crowded if people did not have to nose their way through parked and parking cars all around the area. After all, although it is meant to present different sides of life in Indonesia, small alleys crowded with cars and people are neither a unique feature nor an attractive one.

For all its trivial faults and weekend crowds, Taman Mini is worth a visit. Comparing different cultural traditions and folklore is an great experience for everyone who does not have the option to explore the archipelago in its entirety; the various weekend presentations are showcases for each region's traditions. Besides, although it is not the perfect escape from the bustling Jakarta, Taman Mini is decent enough entertainment.