People of Indonesia

A Nation of Diversity

Indonesia is home to over 270 million people, making it the world’s fourth most populous nation. The country’s national motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (“Unity in Diversity”), perfectly captures the spirit of this remarkably diverse archipelago.

Ethnic Groups

Some 300 ethnic groups call Indonesia home. The largest group is the Javanese (about 45 percent of the population), followed by the Sundanese (14 percent), Madurese (7.5 percent), and coastal Malays (7.5 percent). The remaining 26 percent represents hundreds of distinct ethnic communities, each with their own customs and traditions.

Languages

More than 700 languages and dialects are spoken across the archipelago. Some of the major local languages include Acehnese, Batak, Sundanese, Javanese, Sasak, Dayak, Minahasa, Toraja, Buginese, and Ambonese. To unify this linguistic diversity, Bahasa Indonesia serves as the national language. It is similar to Malay and written in Roman script. English is the most widely spoken foreign language.

Culture

Indonesia’s rich history has fostered many unique cultural traditions. On Java, the Javanese maintain several layers of formality in their language — speaking to a superior versus a child is almost like speaking two different languages. The Toraja of Sulawesi are famous for their elaborate, multi-day funeral ceremonies. The Minangkabau of Sumatra maintain one of the world’s largest matrilineal societies, where houses and property pass from mother to daughter.

Traditional arts thrive alongside modern culture. The ancient gamelan orchestras and angklung bamboo instruments coexist with contemporary music. The art of wayang kulit (shadow puppetry) complements a vibrant modern film industry. And while the themes of historic epics like the Ramayana endure, newer literature has become an equally important part of Indonesian culture.

Religion

Six world religions are officially recognized in Indonesia: Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Confucianism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Traditional indigenous faiths are also respected and practiced. Approximately 85 percent of the population is Muslim, making Indonesia the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation. About 11 percent is Christian, and 4 percent follows Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, or traditional faiths.

This religious diversity is reflected in daily life and is one of the things that makes traveling in Indonesia so fascinating. You might visit a grand mosque, a Hindu temple, and a Buddhist shrine all in the same day.