A Short Essay

 The Uniqueness of Our Beloved Country

Southeast Asia is an area or region located on the Asian continent in the southeast. Southeast Asia has as many as 11 countries that are included in its region, these countries also form a geopolitical and economic organization known as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Countries that contribute to the organization are Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Timor Leste, Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Each country has a form of state or government, culture, language, natural conditions or climate, and different norms. Each of the above countries has a cultural diversity with different characteristics from each other, of course, it is highly guarded and preserved by the entire population. The mainland of Southeast Asia is in the form of a peninsula because the land in this area is surrounded by oceans and has main islands in it. Likewise with Indonesia, Indonesia is known as an archipelagic country because of the many islands owned by this country, tens of thousands of islands have been registered as islands in Indonesia. Several large islands are very familiar to the Indonesian people themselves, for example, the island of Java, the island of Sumatra, and the island of Kalimantan. Indonesia is a country with a very wide area both land and sea. However, the actual presentation of the ocean area in Indonesia is much wider than the existing land area, so Indonesia is also known as a maritime country. Indonesia has a tropical climate so it only has two seasons, namely the rainy season and the dry season, the rainy season is the season I always look forward to because I like it more than the dry season. In addition, Indonesia has a variety of different regional languages, ethnicities, cultures, religions, and customs. I am interested in learning customs and culture or other things from neighboring countries, especially Thailand, but before that, I always remember that there are many things that I do not understand about Indonesia. There are so many interesting and amazing things from all walks of life in this country, I am proud to be a part of Indonesia.

I like things that are traditional both from within the country and abroad, I have a special interest in knowing broadly related to a tradition. Some of the interesting and amazing things include culture, traditions, and customs. These traditions such as a regional dance, tribal events, local traditional events that are carried out by the community from generation to generation, even big day celebrations of various religions have their own culture considering that Indonesia is a religious country. A very interesting tradition is the wedding tradition of each tribe which is very solemn and beautiful by upholding the customs that have been ingrained for a long time. In the wedding ceremony, of course, wearing regional clothes that add to the impression of a thick tradition with a series of events that are by customs. Traditional dances or regional dances are also performed in traditional and modern events, dances are usually performed at the beginning of the event. Another tradition that exists in the Javanese tribe (because I come from the Javanese tribe) for example is the wetonan tradition, this tradition is a ceremony to welcome a new baby with a specific purpose and purpose. Another example is the tradition of the tingkeban ceremony, this tradition is usually carried out by mothers who are pregnant with a womb aged seven months. Every traditional ceremony is performed solemnly and with its purpose from time immemorial. In addition, Indonesia has traditional musical instruments, folk songs, traditional weapons, traditional clothes, regional food, the shape of traditional houses that are different for each tribe. Gamelan is a group of traditional musical instruments from Central Java, a province in Indonesia, which has a very beautiful blend of music. Other traditional musical instruments are angklung, saron, bonang, kolintang, and tifa. Batik is also an Indonesian national culture that has extraordinary beauty aspects. Indonesian people also have a variety of visuals because of the differences in race and ethnicity, but they have beauty and characteristics that make themselves always shine.

Thinking to continue to preserve how beautiful Indonesian traditions and culture can improve national identity and identity or national personality in the international realm. Another interesting thing is that Indonesia has Indonesian natural conditions that are so interesting and can spoil the eye. Many tourist destinations in Indonesia attract many local and foreign visitors. Indonesia has many beaches with beautiful white sand accompanied by color contrasts that are very suitable and beautiful both on the coastline and on the beach water like a color that blends beautifully in the water. These beautiful beaches are not only in one place, but the beauty of Indonesian beaches can be found wherever your feet stand because Indonesian beaches are very beautiful. The Raja Ampat Islands in Papua are one of the forms of Indonesia's natural beauty that is very well preserved, both marine and land ecosystems. Tourist destinations on the mainland are no less amazing, there are so many tourist destinations on the mainland, both mountains and historical places that are in great demand. The beauty of Indonesian traditions and culture is a gift that deserves to be preserved even though times are changing and globalization is so fast. The beauty that exists in Indonesia is not inferior to aesthetic buildings abroad. I always want to visit European countries to see how beautiful the art of each building is because I like the models and forms of buildings in Europe. And I also think that the natural conditions in Europe or other continents are quite aesthetic, having flowers that don't exist in Indonesia is enough to make me jealous and go there. However, after realizing that the beauty of Indonesia, both natural conditions, friendly people, culture and customs, history, and other things, is very worthy to be proud of, the beauty of Indonesia is not only focused on one thing.

Trying to continue to preserve culture and protect it is a form of love for the country. The fading of culture, traditions, and customs occurs because of minimalism in preserving and applying them in everyday life. The existence of traditions, culture, and customs is not to be abandoned, but to be applied from generation to generation to each generation. Mutual respect and elevating tolerance between fellow human beings in diversity is a form of love that can maintain peace. The beauty of nature is God's creation which is so enchanting and amazing. Seeing how beautiful Indonesian nature is can increase our gratitude because we are allowed to see and have such pure beauty. The purity of every custom and culture is also true purity as a characteristic of a nation and state. A country that has a balance between keeping traditions selectively in the times and using technology as a medium for introducing the nation's personality is a form of wisdom that can be done very well. Indonesia is a magical country besides other magical things like those in fiction.