Ubud officially becomes the "Top City in Asia", as a hoop dancing festival approaches.

Mystics and Islamists battle it out in a Javanese village, Andrew Beatty's "A Shadow Falls".

Whether barongsai Chinese lion dancing is banned in Aceh, or just a misunderstanding.

A review of "The Indonesia Reader", an anthology of Indonesian history, culture and politics.

An impassioned plea for dangdut music on TPI and an ode to its earthy soulful charms.

Cultural protectionism and Big Brother in Indonesian film making law, the UU Perfilman.

Short story competition on the culture wars, Timdog and Ross go head to head.

Fatwa on superstitious beliefs in arts and pop culture television.

Lacklustre televised presidential debates are a ruling class ruse, rails Ross.

What lonely women want, what adults get up to, Sasak singers get in trouble for suggesting answers.

Educating the public about the pornography bill and legal challenges against UU Porno at the Constitutional Court.

The building of specifically Hindu religious schools for primary and secondary education in Bali.

Goyang under threat, whether the governor of West Java wants to ban jaipong dance for being too sexy.

Muslim yoga enthusiasts are asked to suspend their yoga activities while the MUI examines whether it is haram.

Questions about Balinese culture from Rayner.

Timdog on popular stereotypes about Madura and the Madurese, and the rumoured sexual prowess of the women.

Ramadan etiquette for unbelievers, by Purba Negoro.

What Indonesia needs is to dump its old feudal ways and culture, says Soetrisno Bachir.

Ross worries that the next target of Islamic fanatics will be old Javanese figures and traditions.

Hans takes a pictorial look at differences between Indonesians in Jakarta and their western guests.

Modern day Javanese girls showing off their bras and underwear willy nilly, and the position of Javanese culture today.

A Betawi figure worries that many immigrants to Jakarta are too narrow in their cultural perspective.

The World Peace Forum in Jakarta finds out the causes of terrorism and violence in the world.

Immigration to West Papua is said to be creating the conditions for sectarian conflict.

Sadanand Dhume's My Friend the Fanatic - Travels with an Indonesian Islamist.

Dewaratugedeanom asks what gives countries the rights to make territorial claims.

Timdog on world religions and local beliefs in Nusa Tenggara.

The assimilation of Chinese into Indonesian society, and rules for celebrating Chinese New Year.

Whether Valentine's Day is a Jewish conspiracy.

Patronising neo-colonialist attitudes by westerners in Bali.

The PKS broadens its electoral and cultural horizons, in Bali.

The Indonesian way of death is too graphic for some.

Jakartass' guide to living in Jakarta for foreigners.

Sylvester questions the philosophy of education in Indonesian schools.

Islamic art principles and modern Indonesian art.

Salma, Islamic barbie dolls for Indonesian girls.

Ross on Metro TV's Chinese-language news service, Xin Wen.

Bali hotel list, by region and town.

Western-style democracy is not suitable for Indonesia.

The government is to hold a "Visit Indonesia Year" in 2008.

Building a model or example Islamic village.

Many Dayak languages are nearing extinction.

The Madurese are misunderstood, says a Dutch anthropologist.

Female students at the University of Indonesia no longer ride around on Vespa scooters half naked.

An example of a Muslim dress code law from West Sumatra.

Indonesians are dubious as to whether the differences between Islam and the West can be resolved.

Sundanese cultural groups are vanishing.

What Islam is and why people love it.

Indonesians are better than Arabs, says Jusuf Kalla.

The Javanese are stupid hypocritical liars, among other things, as Javanese culture comes in for some stinging criticism.

Wayang should be promoted as an alternative to violent television shows such as SmackDown, says Jusuf Kalla.

On national and ethnic differences in Islam, normative and lived Islam.

The government is considering making animism an official religion while some conservative Muslim clerics are unhappy about the prospect.

Famous cultural anthropologist Clifford Geertz dies at the age of 80.

Rock group Dewa's lead guitarist Ahmad Dhani is featured in the Washington Post.

Multi-culturalism, or what Indonesians might call pluralism, is often spoken of as key to Indonesia's make-up and stability but this is likely wrong-headed.

Javanese language and script are dying and president Yudhoyono is one who is concerned.

The Ulema Council, Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), says female circumcision is necessary for Muslims.

An overview of the tolerance situation in Indonesia today.

As globalization advances strange and interesting mixes of cultures, East and West, are produced.

Some interesting works on Mohamed Suharto, or Soeharto, former president of Indonesia including some works of biography.

The music and instruments of Indonesian Gamelan.

In a country where literature struggles to find much of a place in the life of the people Pramoedya Ananta Toer stands out. He died today at his home in Jakarta, 9.00 am, Sunday 30th April 2006.

A good article in Tempo magazine appeared recently on the matter of the anti-pornography and indecency bill that framed the question in terms of a conflict between Arab cultural imperialism (Islam) and native Indonesian culture.

A roundup of some of the current opinions regarding the proposed new law against indecency and pornography.

The contradictions at the heart of the make up of the Indonesian nation are on display in a somewhat comical way presently in the attempts by Islamist lawmakers in Jakarta to enact a new, draconian law against pornography (pornografi) and supposed public indecency (pornoaksi).

The Arab-Muslim culture that has been brought to Indonesia is doomed.

The Asmat culture of Papua, or Irian Jaya, their rituals, dress, and handicrafts holds some interest. Their woodcarving designs in particular are renowned throughout the world.

A transvestite contest causes a stir in Sumatra.