Taman Mini offers recreational and cultural experience

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.