Latest news with #Sundanese
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Fragrant parcels from Indonesia
'Pepes' layered with herbs and spices a piece of shared heritage ACROSS the Indonesian archipelago, few dishes express the marriage of spice, aroma and ingenuity quite like pepes. This cooking method of steaming or grilling seasoned ingredients wrapped in banana leaves dates back centuries and is deeply rooted in Sundanese cuisine from West Java. The banana leaf not only imparts a subtle, earthy fragrance but also locks in moisture, preserving the tender texture of its contents. The term pepes refers less to a single recipe and more to a style of cooking. Chicken 'pepes' is a milder but equally flavourful option thanks to rich spices (below). — Photos: AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star Within this broad category, one finds a vibrant range of fillings such as fish (pepes ikan), tofu (pepes tahu), mushroom (pepes jamur) and chicken (pepes ayam) to name a few. Each variation takes on the distinctive character of the spice blend that envelops it. In villages, pepes are often grilled over smouldering coconut husks after steaming, lending a whisper of smoke to the leaf's perfume. Pepes shares its heritage with other South-East Asian banana-leaf parcels, though each has its own regional flair such as botok, a Javanese cousin typically made from grated coconut mixed with anchovies, petai or tofu. Found in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, otak-otak is another relative with a firmer, almost mousse-like texture. Compared with botok and otak-otak, pepes offer more flexibility in both protein choice and spice profile. Its defining trait lies in the aromatic spice paste, a carefully balanced blend of herbs and seasonings sauteed before use, infusing the filling from within. No two households prepare pepes in exactly the same way. In West Java, pepes ikan mas (carp) is a festive favourite. In Bali, pepes be pasih (seafood) might include shredded kaffir lime leaves for brightness. In Sumatra, peppercorns and galangal add punch, while in central Java, sweeter notes from palm sugar creep in. Steaming ensures tenderness, while grilling adds a layer of aroma. This pepes ayam variation replaces fish with chicken, resulting in a milder but equally flavourful parcel. The spice paste is rich with lemongrass, turmeric leaf, toasted coriander, fennel and cumin seeds, creating a warm, layered profile that complements the meat. Steaming ensures tenderness, while a brief roasting or grilling at the end adds a touch of colour and aroma. The banana leaf is both vessel and seasoning, turning a simple chicken dish into something celebratory. Pepes ayam Ingredients 500g chicken breast 2 whole eggs 1 cup coconut milk 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp salt to taste 1 tsp sugar to taste 1 cube chicken bouillon 1-2 fronds banana leaves Spice paste 1 bulb red onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, crushed & peeled 3 stalks lemongrass, finely sliced 5 pods dried red chillies, soaked in water 1 knob fresh ginger 1 frond turmeric leaf, finely sliced 2 tsp coriander seeds, toasted 1 tsp fennel seeds, toasted 1 tsp cumin seeds, toasted ¼ cup cooking oil for blending 2 tbsp cooking oil for sauteing Method Combine all the spice paste ingredients, except the oil for sauteing. Blend until smooth. Heat oil in a pan and saute the blended mixture until fragrant. Stir in coconut milk and season with bouillon, salt and sugar to taste. Cook until the mixture thickens, then cool completely. Cut the chicken breasts into small pieces and blend together with the eggs until smooth. Combine the sauteed mixture with the blended chicken until evenly incorporated. Clean the banana leaves, toast over an open flame until slightly wilted, then cut them into 8cm x 16cm rectangles. Place one heaped tablespoon of the chicken mixture onto each leaf rectangle, then fold ends and tuck neatly underneath. Steam the chicken pepes in a steamer for 10 minutes. Serve as is or brush with oil and roast in a 250°C oven for 10 minutes until the exterior turns lightly golden. Remove and serve warm with rice or on its own.
Time Business News
05-08-2025
- Time Business News
Educational Tourism Bogor: Raynia Camp for Smart School Trips
As local governments across Indonesia begin mandating that school study tours be conducted within city limits, a new wave of opportunity is emerging—particularly for educational tourism destinations. One standout is Raynia Camp, located in Caringin, Bogor Regency, which is redefining school trips with an immersive blend of nature, culture, and hands-on learning. Launched in mid-2024 by the community-based organization Mata Tunas 17 , Raynia Camp is not just another recreational site. It's a purpose-built environment where learning meets the outdoors, and students are invited to explore subjects like agriculture, animal husbandry, and local crafts through real-world experiences. 'We don't offer sightseeing—we offer structured education in nature,' says Tri Satria, CEO of Mata Tunas 17. 'Our goal is to make outdoor learning an impactful part of the curriculum.' Raynia Camp blends local traditions with interactive activities. Students can learn to play the angklung (a traditional bamboo instrument) or try their hand at Cimande-style pencak silat, a form of Indonesian martial arts deeply rooted in Sundanese culture. To deepen the connection with local life, visitors tour nearby villages using colorful odong-odong (modified village transport vehicles), fostering social interaction and community appreciation. The camp also offers various outdoor games and challenges such as a flying fox, spider web, body rafting, two-line bridge, and obstacle courses, all under the guidance of experienced mentors—many of whom are extracurricular coaches from local schools. Raynia Camp isn't just for students. Adults looking for eco-adventure can go rafting along the Cisadane River—a thrilling 12-kilometer ride—or hike to the scenic Cikaracak Waterfall, which is just an hour's trek from the basecamp. For those who enjoy leisure activities, a nearby fishing pond offers a quiet retreat. Overnight visitors can stay in tent-based accommodations, allowing for a true camping experience surrounded by the lush landscapes between Mount Salak and Mount Pangrango. The camp's location—just off the Caringin exit of the Bocimi toll road—ensures quick access without the stress of traffic congestion. In a world where education often feels confined to classrooms, destinations like Raynia Camp remind us that learning can—and should—happen anywhere. For school groups, scout organizations, LDKS leadership camps, or even international families looking to expose their children to sustainable, community-driven tourism, Raynia Camp provides an exceptional alternative. To learn more or book a visit, follow @matatunas17 on Instagram or contact via WhatsApp at +62 896-0413-6441. By Giostanovlatto – Founder Hey Bali TIME BUSINESS NEWS
SBS Australia
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
My Harimau King: When Indonesian tiger folklore mixed with life in Western Sydney
SBS Indonesian 18/06/2025 10:18 Annie McCann, a Western Sydneysider of Indonesian heritage, started out as a fan of fiction works. After trying her hand at writing her own stories, she is now launching her teenage adventure fiction novel starring a character representing her own identity: A Muslim Sundanese who grew up in Western Sydney. McCann's first ever novel, which falls under fantasy adventure, is titled My Harimau King. Its story line has strong ties with the legend of Prabu Raja Siliwangi, who is known to take on the form of a tiger at times. The novel contains multiple elements, including myths and legends hailing from Indonesia and West Java in Particular, such as objects with supernatural powers and the babi ngepet demon-swine creature. However, the main character is depicted as having a very strong Muslim identity. While Annie has always been well-acquainted with her Indonesian side, she was, after all, raised in Australia. Therefore, writing a story rich with reference to West Javanese traditions presented its own challenges, such as the use of multiple languages and the representation of folklores, including that of Prabu Raja Siliwangi. In her writing process, she was often assisted by family members and her travels to historical sites in West Java. Aside from being rich in its reference to Indonesian cultures, My Harimau King also depicts scenes that are familiar to young people living in Sydney, particularly its western part, such as munching on camel burgers and struggling through Australian schools' exam periods. Melati Lum (L) and Annie McCann. Credit: Supplied/Melati Lum Melati Lim, the owner of Melby Rose Publishing, under which My Harimau King is released, lauds the novel for its inclusion of Indonesian elements, which are rare in books targeting middle-grade readers. Listen to the full podcast. Listen to SBS Indonesian on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 3pm. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram , and don't miss our podcasts.
Rakyat Post
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Rakyat Post
Why Is Indonesia Called 'Konoha'? Here's The Reason
Subscribe to our FREE If you're constantly on social media enough, you might have heard of Indonesia being referred to as Konoha here and there, especially when Indonesians behave strangely. But, what is the relevance between Indonesia and a fictional village in the popular anime Naruto? As it turned out, there are some similarities between the two places and it's why the name has stuck. Here are the similarities between Indonesia and Konoha: 1. Having seven leaders In the anime Naruto, Konoha had seven village leaders known as the hokage. Indonesia also has seven presidents since declaring independence in August 1945. The first Indonesian president, Soekarno, is said to be similar to Konoha's first Hokage, Hashirama. Both Soekarno and Hashirama are said to be founders of the country/village and have firm characters. The second president, Soeharto, has similar characteristics as the second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, because they helped shaped the nation and community. Indonesian weekly magazine Tempo added that KH Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur is similar to Minato Namikaze because he resigned from his position to maintain peace in their respective countries. The seven Hokages of Konoha. Image: Game Rant There's also a similarity between the fifth president and the fifth Hokage. The fifth president, Megawati Soekarnoputri is the daughter of the first Indonesian president, Soekarno. Meanwhile, the fifth Hokage, Tsunade, is the granddaughter of the first Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Both Megawati and Tsunade were also first presidents in their own regions. Additionally, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is said to be similar to Kakashi Hatake, the sixth leader of Konoha, due to their military backgrounds. What about President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)? He's compared to Naruto Uzumaki because they share the same goal of creating peace in other countries. 2. Ability to make peace with rivals In Konoha, Naruto entrusted his friend and rival, Sasuke, as the head of security. In Indonesia, Jokowi appointed Prabowo Subianto, his rival during the election, as the Minister of Defense. Naruto and Sasuke Jokowi and Prabowo 3. Having large ethnic tribes and influential groups In Naruto, there are various ninja clans such as the Hyuga, Senju, Uchiha, Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Nara, to name a few. The Uchiha clan has great influence in Konoha and was hated by the second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Indonesia also has various regional tribes such as the Batak, Sundanese, Javanese, Betawi, Minang, and Bugis. Indonesia's PKI group holds great influence in the country and was a threat at some point, which was why the group was not liked by Soeharto, the second president. The explanation regarding the similarities between Indonesia and Konoha amused Jokowi in 2017. He thanked a student named Yadian for explaining the term to him during a #JokowiMenjawab session. Am I able to make our country like Konoha under the leadership of Uzumaki Naruto, who is calm, peaceful, pious, and disciplined? I answer God willing. With God's permission and the hard work of all of us, we can definitely do it. Indonesian president Joko Widodo More about Konoha Konoha is the short name for the village Konohagakure, which translates to Village Hidden in the Leaves or Hidden Leave Village. Residents refer to it as the Leaf and it's the home village of the titular character, Naruto. Konoha. Image: The Naruto World Wiki Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
New Straits Times
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Indonesian rock icon Ahmad Dhani's eldest son weds sweetheart of 8 years
JAKARTA: Indonesian rock icon Ahmad Dhani's eldest son, Al Ghazali Kohler, 27, has married his long-term girlfriend of eight years, Alyssa Daguise. Al Ghazali, whose mother is singer Maia Estianty, exchanged vows with Alyssa in a ceremony held at 10am yesterday in the Indonesian capital. The couple looked elegant in traditional Sundanese attire. As part of the dowry, Al Ghazali presented Alyssa with 16.6g of gold and silver, along with 2,025 Euros (RM9,909.77). Both Al Ghazali's parents and his siblings were present at the ceremony. Al Ghazali, a member of the Indonesian rock band Lucky Laki, began his relationship with Alyssa, who is of French and Indonesian heritage, in 2016. He proposed to her last month at Lake Como, Italy. Ahmad Dhani and Maia have three sons, aged 27, 25, and 24.
