Hidden Message in Traditional Attire

Kompas/Wisnu Widiantoro

President Joko Widodo (back to camera) and Vice President Jusuf Kalla talk with Indonesia’s third president BJ Habibie, fifth president Megawati Soekarnoputri, sixth president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Ani Yudhoyono after Independence Day celebrations at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (17/8).

The commemoration of Indonesia’s 72^nd Independence Day at Merdeka Palace in the State Palace complex, Jakarta, on Thursday (17/8) was festive. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and wife Mufidah Jusuf Kalla and guests wore traditional attire at the flag-hoisting ceremony and the flag-lowering ceremony. The people witnessed the beauty of colorful traditional attire from 34 provinces. Merdeka Palace represented a miniature Indonesia. It showed the richness of Indonesia’s diversity.

Before the cultural show preceding the event, President Jokowi, wearing Tanah Bumbu attire from South Kalimantan, walked to the erected tents and warmly greeted guests with limited security. The President said the traditional clothes had been selected to show the diversity of Indonesia’s culture and as a nation. “We are very diverse and colorful. This is Indonesia. It is to make us understand that we are very diverse,” the President said.