Our Friendly Sunda!

 

Our ICS101 class visited Indonesia today!

I've learned so many things about the beautiful archipelagic island country in Southeast Asia, The Indonesia. As it is illustrated in the map, Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world. Because of the archipelagic setting of this country, they've got numerous dialects and languages, yet one language is still known and used by everyone-- Bahasa Indonesia. It's culture was influenced by many countries like, India, China, Arabia, The Netherlands and even Portugal. 

I've also learned about TEETH CHISELING done by a tribe of people in Indonesia.

They believe that a woman is more beautiful if she has her teeth chiseled into sharp points.

Whether the woman like it or not, if her husband asked her to chisel her teeth, she must obey.

The wives are very submissive to their husbands because they want their husbands be proud of them.

I was assigned to search and discuss about Sunda of Indonesia. The Sunda are known for their friendliness, it is also a place where informality and openness is more emphasize. And they are also more strongly Islamicized. Traditionally, farming is the way of living of people in Sunda. The province of West Java (where the Sunda live for generation) was known as the "national rice storehouse," because of its high fertility. The development of industries affect the Sunda's way of living. Many Sunda people no longer work as a farmers, but a traders. 

Almost all Sunda are Muslims, not just an ordinary Muslim, but a stronger ones. They also have an animistic world view, because the Sunda needs to protect their harmony with the natural world. Their beliefs is based on fear, they believe that everything happens because of the spirits are to be honored and appeased through rituals.

The Sunda, our friendly friends need our help by praying for them. They need help and guidance to raise their standard of living, there is also a need for agricultural investment and modernization.

Most importantly, let's pray that God will reveal Himself to them so that they will know that God is stronger than nature or any power or spirit!