INDONESIA: HARI NATAL (CHRISTMAS DAY)


Halina Bednarz 2007-04-08


Indonesia is known as the biggest Moslem country in the world. However, we also have some millions of people who believe in Christianity.

On 25 December, the Christian people in Indonesia celebrate Hari Natal or Christmas Day. The celebration of Hari Natal in Indonesia is a bit different from the celebration of Christmas in Europe or America. Since we live in a tropical country, we never have a white Christmas!

A few days before the celebration, we start to decorate our Pohon Natal (Christmas Tree) and to buy some hadiah/kado (gifts) our family members and friends. We also clean and decorate our Gereja (church) for the celebration.

On the day of Christmas, we go the church to pray and to praise the God. When the mass is over, we go home to celebrate Christmas with our family members and friends. Some very special food is prepared for us at home. We have some very special Indonesian food such as Rendang Daging/Ayam, Mie Goreng, Opor Ayam, Sate, etc.

Putra Kosasih
Jakarta, INDONESIA