Republic of Indonesia

Indonesia.
A country with an estimated 238 million people, free from Netherland rule since 1949. Indonesia contains quite a large diversity, which includes ethnicities such as the Javanese, the Sundanese, Madurese, Minangkabau, Betawi, Bugis, Bantenese and many others, each with their own language. The official Indonesian motto: Bhinneka Tunggal Ika means Unity in Diversity. / Many, yet one, which I think sums up the multicultural population of Indonesia. In all honesty, I know very little about Indonesia, or any of the names mentioned above, so I've explored a little further and written about the top five.

Quick facts:

Javanese

• Many Javanese people follow Islam, although culture is said to also be influenced by Hinduism, Buddhism, Animism and Kejawen.
• The royal palaces Yogyakarta Sultanate and Surakarta Sunanate are often highly revered and looked upon in society.
• Culturally, Javanese people are said to adopt a bilateral kinship system, where male and female descendants have equal importance. This may explain why it is not customary for Javanese people to have a surname. 
• Divorce is slowly becoming acceptable in the culture.

Sundanese

• Sunda Wiwitan is a belief that contains the legend of the origin of Sundanese people.
• Sundanese culture is said to have been influenced by Hinduism and Buddhism, and previous native beliefs such as Sunda Wiwitam and Animism.
• Today it is thought that many Sundanese people are Sunni Muslims.
• There are traditional Sundanese dances such as Jaipongan.

Madurese

• Have roots from an island called Madura, but know most Madurese people do not live on this island, and have spread out.
• Islam is very deep rooted in Madurese tradition.
• Men can have many wives.

Minangkabau 

• Have a matrilineal culture, with property and land passed down from mother to daughter, while religious and political affairs are the responsibility of men. Although some women may also play important roles in these areas. 
• There is a tradition for when boys reach the coming of age, to explore the world and 'make their riches' before returning to their homeland. This helps give women more power.
• Tend to be strongly Islamic, but also follow ethnic traditions called 'adat' which derives from animist beliefs before Islam was introduced.

Betawi

• Their language is said to be quite popular as the basis of Indonesian slang.
• There are so many influences from other cultures within the Betawi people - such as Chinese, Arabic, Sundanesen, European...
• A Kebaya Encim is a traditional blouse worn by some women.
•  Betawi Keroncong Kemayoran music is derived from kroncong music of Portuguese Mardijker people
• Pencak Silat is a popular martial art that is sometimes adopted in Betawi culture.

 Bugis

•  Most Bugis identify as Sunni Muslims, but their practice is influenced by Sufi traditions. 
• Assalmakeng is a type of ceremony that involves offerings to local spirits, guardians of the house, supernatural sibligns of the newly born, and other spirits.
• While there is some 'western' treatment available, in Bugis tradition there are sanro, who are alternative practitioners. They may use core concepts such as the elements fire, air, earth and water for diagnosis and healing.
• The old pre-islamic belief called Tolotang has been kept by some Bugis.

Indonesia is diverse and is full of culture. There are many, many folktales such as The Legend of Toba Lake, The Origin of Rice and Kebo Iwa which all heavily involve the land, and interesting historical sites such as the Javanese Candis.