Happy Vesak… Omitohud to us all!

On this auspice occasion, I would like to wish my Buddhist friends, colleagues and stylish fashionista a Happy Vesak.

May this day brings you abundance of joy and peace.

As a part of the Mid-Career Diplomatic Training, I travelled to Singkawang, a city in West Kalimantan province. The Indonesian province is located in the vast island of Kalimantan, or more known as Borneo which is also the home to two other countries, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.

Singkawang is thoroughly unique. Each Chinese New Year is celebrated massively there. This is due to the deep Chinese heritage which is one of the major community residing in the city. In fact, the community is known with TiDaYu, an abbreviation of Tiong Hoa (Chinese), Dayak (Original Tribe of Kalimantan) and Melayu (Malay). These three community have been living harmoniously with each other for centuries.

Today, Singkawang, which is called as a city with 1000 Viharas, is a popular tourist destination in West Kalimantan. Visitors, both foreigners and locals alike, flock to Singkawang to witness the centuries old architecture of Viharas and Churches and Mosques as well as tasting the mouth-watering local culinaries. Mmmh, the Singkawangnese can make a bowl of mie bakso (meatball with egg noodle) taste sooo amazing! Just thinking about it make me hungry!

Also, since a few years back, Singkawangnese have been creative in designing Batik TiDaYu with the patterns of Phoenix bird, Enggau, and Mandau each to represent the three communities residing in Singkawang (look at photo 3). Their traditional Songket also represent this (look at photo 2).

The above photo was taken by a dear friend and fellow diplomat, Mrs Indah Nuria Savitri +indah nuria Savitri , in front of one of the landmark Viharas in the city center.

I was dressed up in a three patterned hand-stamped Batik shirt by Tayada Batik. The unique patterned and vibrant colored Garutan Batik owes its name from its origin namely Garut, West Java.

Once again, Happy Vesak you all! Omitohud!

Shirt: hand-stamped Garutan Batik by Tayada

Songket Singkawang with golden threads.

Singkawang made textile with Batik TiDaYu pattern of Phoenix, Enggau and Mandau.

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