The Indonesian Student Association held the sixth annual Indonesian Culture Night, showcasing traditional Indonesian music, dance performances and traditional food for audience members. Although the show was solely based on the rituals of Indonesia, it brought together numerous cultures under one roof.

MSU alumna Danica Suradja was in charge of all the dances performed at the show. Having past experience with traditional Indonesian dance, she was able to serve as a mentor for the performers.

Music and dance plays a huge role in Indonesian culture, especially in terms of bringing together community members and creating a sense of unity. The various cultural tribes in Indonesia each have their own dances and rituals and some of those dances also are incorporated with religion, Suradja said.

The Indang Badinding, a dance generally performed by Indonesian Muslims and native to areas such as western Sumatra, was performed at the event. In the past, this dance was used as a medium to spread religion, but it’s now strictly used as a means for cultural, traditional and entertainment purposes.

The music and dance practices in Indonesia vary across the country. Suradja said areas in the east, such as Bali and Manado, have more variety in terms of instruments and tones. In western Indonesians, are more focused on making beats using delicate sounds and clapping hands.

Suradja said helping to organize the event not only allows her to stay in touch with her roots, but helps her meet other Indonesians who live in East Lansing.

“Everybody greets each other and it is so welcoming,” she said. “It’s like you’re all family.”

The audience also showed a keen interest in the Indonesian food that was being served.

Stephanie Lawalu, Indonesian Student Association member and graduate student, said the most popular dish served was rendang, a spicy beef dish from the northern region of Indonesia cooked with coconut milk and spices such as ginger, lemongrass and turmeric.

“We wanted to introduce Indonesian culture to people all over the world, and I think we delivered that well,” Lawalu said.

Lawalu said guests asked her for the rendang recipe after tasting the dish.

Suradja said MSU is very welcoming to international students, like she was when she first came to the university.

“Of course, we heard things before coming to the U.S. about what we’re going to experience, but you’re thankful once you get here,” Suradja said. “This culture show was like a form of gratitude. We want to say, ‘You welcomed us, so here’s our way to pay you back.’”

The audience also showed their interest to explore the culture by giving their undivided attention during performances, Suradja said.

“I want other people to know about Indonesia, too,” she said. “So many people will ask where I’m from, but they won’t even know where Indonesia is. I just don’t want that to happen.”