Pat-a-cake Songs from Indonesia with MP3's and YouTubes

Back in November I posted a French Pat-a-cake Song and talked about how this type of song seems to be universal throughout the western world. It looks like Pat-a-cake songs are sung in parts of Asia too. Lin Fadelan from Indonesia sent me these Indonesian Pat-a-cake songs below… Tepuk Tepuk Tangan (Bahasa Indonesia) Tepuk Tepuk Tangan Berputar-putar Tangan [...]

The Tradition of Forgiveness and other Customs for Idul Fitri in Indonesia

Ketupat is traditionally eaten for Idul Fitri in Indonesia I recently wrote about Eid'l Fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan. In Indonesia it's called Idul Fitri. Dedy Subandowo, an Indonesian, wrote to me about Idul Fitri: …I am really happy to face this fasting month because after finishing the Ramadan month, we will [...]

Ramadan and Eid'l Fitr in Indonesia with a YouTube Video

I asked Lin from Indonesia about Ramadan and Eid'l Fitr. Here's what she wrote… Eid'l Fitr is the closing of Ramadhan, celebrating the winning of ‘fighting' ourselves during Ramadhan month. During Ramadhan month, we don't eat, drink, smoking etc. We also don't do anything bad, instead we need to worship and be good to [...]

Christmas and Eid'l Fitr in Indonesia

Lin wrote to me about the December holidays in Indonesia… When I was a kid, about one third of my neighbors were Christian (Catholic, Protestant, Advent etc). Before Christmas, we kids ‘helped' them prepare their houses for Christmas (by tasting their cookies, cakes, and their traditional cuisines/meals, decorating their houses and Christmas trees etc.). What [...]

A Little about Indonesia with some photos of Indonesian Kids!

I learned this week that Indonesia has tens of thousands of islands.  According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Indonesia has 13,670 islands, over half of which are inhabited.  Wikipedia puts the number over 17,000.  The truth is that the number of islands continuously changes due to seismic activity in the area. Indonesia is the fourth most populous [...]

Independence Day in Indonesia with a Song and YouTube Video

August 17th is Independence Day in Indonesia. Lin Fdln sent me this song called “Hallo Hallo Bandung” that's sung in Indonesia for the holiday. Here's what Lin wrote to me, followed by the lyrics to the song, an English translation and a YouTube video... This is a song from the revolutionary period, when Indonesia [...]

Cassava Root Vegetable Chips – Yummy… They're like Potato Chips.. but lighter and better!

Joseph Banks Cassava Root Chips are an exotic and relatively healthy snack. Most important – they're delicious! In the interest of full disclosure, I'll tell you straight out, these chips are sold by my friend's company. Also, I'm eating them right now and I'm going to have a hard time keeping myself from polishing them [...]

Mama Lisa Now Has a Facebook Group

We'd love it if you'd join the Mama Lisa Facebook Group. You can post anything you'd like about your culture. You can post your own musical recordings or YouTube videos… Links to culture and musical sites… Photos of your country… Questions about songs or cultural issues… Anything related to World Culture and [...]

Can Someone Help with the Indonesian Song “Bengawan Solo”?

Gerard wrote: Hi! Is there somebody who can tell us the beautiful words in the Indonesian language of the song Bengawan Solo? Thanks a lot. Have a nice day. Gerard If anyone can help with these lyrics, and/or an English translation, please let us know in the comments below. Thanks in advance! Lisa Share on Facebook and other services:

Can Someone Help with the Lyrics to an Indonesian Poem?

Saira wrote me: Dear Lisa I hope you are well. Please could you send me the lyrics for the traditional Indonesian poem si anak katak di pinggir kaali… I used to sing this as a child when I lived in Jakarta during my childhood. I only remember the first few lines now but I would love [...]