The Betawi (Orang Betawi, or "people of Batavia") are the descendants of the people living around Batavia (the colonial name for Jakarta) from around the 17th century. The Betawis are mostly descended from various Southeast Asian ethnic groups brought to or attracted to Batavia to meet labour needs, including people from various parts of Indonesia. They have a culture and language distinct from the surrounding Sundanese and Javanese. The Betawis are known for their piety towards Islam, as well as their short temper and their opennes to others.
The Betawi language is the spoken language of the Betawi people in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is the native language of about 2,700,000 people (1993). It is a Malay-based creole. The name Betawi stems from Batavia, the official name for Jakarta during the era of the Dutch East Indies.
Kampung Betawi in Setu Babakan, one cannot escape the traditional Betawi homes coated in bright colors and the tempting delicacies on offer.Kampung Betawi offers something more than just a stroll along the cool area surrounding the lake.
The lake, named Mangga Bolong, is surrounded by various food stalls offering yummy delights for the tummy, including kerak telor (pancake made from hen or duck eggs), gado-gado Betawi (mixed vegetables with peanut sauce) and the famous soto Betawi (soup with meat).
In Kampung Betawi, regular traditional shows like lenong (theater) and gambang kromong (musical performance) provide an insight into understanding and appreciating the nature of the native Jakartans.
Although an inspiring and calming tourist destination, Kampung Betawi rests in the outskirts of this melting pot city. The location make it difficult to reach.
No comments:
Post a Comment