There are several types of ”dangdut” music, among others ”Malay dangdut”, ”modern dangdut” (today’s ”dangdut music the performance of which includes also the use of modern musical instruments). And ”dangdut pesisir” (traditional Javanese, Sundanese ”dangdut” songs etc.). In 1970s, ”dangdut” was better known as the Malay orchestral music but then in early 1980s this type of music was better known as ”dangdut”.
Indonesia comprises various ethnic groups, religions and beliefs. There are Batak, Karo, Minangkabau and Malay and others in Sumatera. There are five religions that are recognized by the government: Islam, Christianity, Hindu and Buddha as well as Confucianism. Most Indonesians, however, opt for Islam as their religion.
Demography
Indonesians can be categorized in two broad groups. In the western part of Indonesia, most of the people are of Malay ethnic group while in the east they are the Papuans, whose roots can be traced back in the Melanesian islands. Many Indonesians refer to themselves as part of a more specific ethnic group, depending on the language and the region of origin, for example, Javanese, Sundanese or Bataks.
In addition, there are also migrants, who are the minorities, among others the ethnic Chinese, Indians and Arabs. Migrants first came to Indonesia in 8 BC by taking the trade route and since then they have lived in Indonesia and become part of this country. Some 3 per cent of the Indonesian population are the ethnic Chinese. This percentage has come in different versions because it was in 1930 that the government last took a census by categorising the Indonesian people into ethnic groups and their descendants.
Islam is the religion of the majority (85.2 per cent) of Indonesia’s population, therefore making Indonesia a country with the largest Muslim population in the world. The rest of the population are Protestants (8.9 per cent), Catholics (3 per cent), Hindu (1.8 per cent), Buddhism (9.8 per cent) and others (0.3 per cent).
Economy
Indonesia is endowed with huge natural resources outside Java, including crude oil, natural gas, tin, copper and gold. Indonesia is the world’s second largest natural gas exporter. The country’s main agricultural commodities are rice, tea, coffee beans, spices and rubber. Indonesia’s largest trade partners are Japan, the United States of America and its neighboring countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Australia. (Vox Populi)
