Javanese Dance, or Ballet as it is often called, is a sophisticated art form that saw a great deal of development with the patronage of the sultanates of Yogyakarta and Solo. It has been remarked that the sultanates did not duel with violence, but with cultural supremacy; who could hold the most refined events, the best dance. Many villages of Central Java also maintain a strong dance culture and heritage.

The costuming is elaborate and dramatic, the use of batik is exquisite. Javanese Ballet is usually performed with a gamelan ensemble, often including singer who essentially narrates the tale. The depictions of poses and movements on temple reliefs always look so dramatic and it is amazing to see them brought to life, down to the bold eye movements. The most famous of the local productions, The Ramayana Ballet is performed at the open air stage at Prambanan. Contemporary productions include the Mahakarya at Borobudur temple and Sumunaring Abhayagiri held at Ratu Boko. Influences of external cultures can be seen in the dances and costuming, but the interpretation has always been distinctly Javanese. The dances reinforce moral and cultural education in Java, with many of the stories themed around duty and honour.

If Indonesians believe that “drama is the shadow of life and that man is a mere puppet of god” it makes sense that shadow puppetry is an important part of the local culture. Called wayang, which literally means shadow or ghost, these puppets or even live people are the main vehicle of drama and story telling; the stories of ancestors, and Hindu epic poems.

Around 200 characters are used to recount the tales, from gods to cruel kings,
servants to clowns.

Wayang Kulit, made from leather, is the most famous of the wayang forms. Wayang Golek are made from timber, and Wayang Wong are people, wearing masks.

The performances can last for 10 hours, and are often performed overnight, with a gamelan ensemble. The audience follow the story closely with laughter or boos, silence or tears. The appeal is across the board in Javanese society. The puppets are made by expert crafts people, and you will most likely see them should you visit the Taman Sari, Water Castle area in Yogyakarta. The almond eyed, slant nosed Wayang are the heroes, and those with bulbous eyes and noses are the villains.

A musical style that employs an ensemble that plays a range of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums and gongs, bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings. Singers may also be a part of gamelan. Central Javans have a great deal of respect for their elders, and their skills. You will often see Gamelan ensembles with these elders strongly involved. Central Javan style of gamelan is distinct from other regions in Indonesia, it has been described thus “’Gamelan’ is only comparable to two things: moonlight and flowing water. It is pure and mysterious like moonlight and always changing like flowing water… it is a state of being, such as moonlight itself which lies poured out over the land” - Jaap Kunst.

You will most likely hear this music at many stages of your visit to Central Java, as you walk through palace grounds, at a performance of ballet or puppetry, wafting over from a food stall’s radio or the lobby of your hotel. It is a memorable backdrop.

15 km north of Solo is the Sangiran Museum and the UNESCO world heritage archaeological excavation which has produced fossils dating back millions of years. The first hominid fossils were excavated in the 1930s, and named ‘Java Man’. This site has produced half of the world’s findings of Hominid fossils, in addition to water, sea and land animals and plants. It is considered the oldest human settlement site in the world, and attracts many experts who come to study.

The museum boasts displays including a diorama explaining the prehistoric life of a caveman, and a watch tower, which allows a view of the excavation site from above.

Thirty six kilometers east of Solo and 900km above sea level is Candi Sukuh a Javanese Hindu temple built around 1437 during the rule of the Majapahit Dynasty. This temple has the fairly explicit theme of sex education and fertility. The view from the temple and the surrounding country side are a highlight. Often described as a patchwork, the rice terraces, and coffee and tea plantations on the drive to the temple are picturesque.

The three wheeled, human powered transportation is synonomous with the cities of Central Java, and remains a common transportation for tourists and locals alike. 

The becak’s passengers sit at the front seemingly in the thick of the traffic and the driver pedals from behind. The road rules are that the beck has right of way, and you will see this in action, people are careful to let a becak through.

The fare is negotiated prior to the trip commencing, and a bit of bargaining is not unusual. These hard working drivers now have stiff competition from taxis so will appreciate the fare.

A patterned cloth that holds a strong cultural importance, the patterns can indicate a range of concepts, blessings and level in society. Within Indonesia, Central Java has long been important in the design and production of Batik, with the sultanates playing an important patronage role.

Batik was designated by UNESCO as a “Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible
Heritage of Humanity” in 2009, much to the delight of Indonesians, whose
pride in this craft is enormous.

Batik clothing is considered appropriate attire for many official occasions and ceremonies and many offices across Indonesia hold a Batik Day on Fridays. Batik is cloth that has been manually ‘wax resist’ dyed. The application of the wax, by hand, is either using a pen like tool (canting), or a stamp (cap). The wax protects areas of the fabric from dye. The wax is then removed with either a solvent, or by ironing the fabric between pieces of paper. The process can be long depending on the complexity of pattern and number of colours in the design. Both Yogyakarta and Solo are important Batik textile centres, each with their own signature patterns and colour combinations. Batik clothing is considered appropriate attire for many official occasions and ceremonies and many offices across Indonesia hold a Batik Day on Fridays. Batik is cloth that has been manually ‘wax resist’ dyed. The application of the wax, by hand, is either using a pen like tool (canting), or a stamp (cap). The wax protects areas of the fabric from dye. The wax is then removed with either a solvent, or by ironing the fabric between pieces of paper. The process can be long depending on the complexity of pattern and number of colours in the design. Both Yogyakarta and Solo are important Batik textile centres, each with their own signature patterns and colour combinations.  Two courts in Solo have fostered the craft, as have the Sultanate and Pakualaman court in Yogyakarta. Solo’s Laweyan and Kauman districts and Pasar Klewer are places to find Batik, whilst in Yogyakarta check out the Kampung Taman district and Beringharjo market.