Lebaran 2016 Edition: The Rainbow of Kebaya and Batik

Our Moslem brothers and sisters around the world celebrated Eid al-Fitr or Eid Mubarak, the end of Ramadhan fasting month recently. In Indonesia, this event is an annual cornerstone event that is celebrated joyously. It is a cornerstone event because during this celebration, Indonesians, regardless of their religion, would visit each other and get together in sharing the happiness of Ramadhan.

For as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated with Eid al-Fitr, commonly known as Lebaran in Indonesia. I remember my Mom would dress little JET nicely in a handsome Batik shirt to attend Lebaran feast.

Aside from glorious food which is served during Lebaran, as a child, I was attracted with the beautiful guests and hosts/hostess wearing traditional clothes. Crafted from Batik, Tenun, Ikat, Tapis, Songket, these colorful attires depict a lively rainbow to a little child.

As I grew older and began working in the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, I have also been exposed in celebrating and organizing the Eid al-Fitr celebration in Jakarta as well as in Indonesian Embassies abroad. 

This article will feature the lively celebration of Lebaran 2016 in Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as in several Indonesian Missions abroad.

Marvel through the elegant kebaya, pretty Batik sarong and attractive shirts as shown in the following photos. Each of these pictures stand as a testament on how Indonesian fashion is well promoted during Lebaran.

Stay updated with JET’s latest fashion adventure in Instagram (@JETJAKARTA) and Facebook page (JET’s Fashion Diplomacy).

Finally, let me take this opportunity to wish a very Happy Eid to all Moslem brothers and sisters. Minal Aidin wal Faidzin. May Allah showers us all His blessings of peace.

Ps. Catatan Kecil untuk Sahabats Desainers dan Rekans Fashionista,  Selamat Idul Fitri untuk sahabats yang merayakan. Mohon maaf lahir batin. Lebaran tidak hanya waktu yang tepat untuk bermaaf-maafan, namun juga the perfect moment untuk kita mengenakan busana karya perancang Tanah Air. Ibu-ibu semakin ayu tampil dalam kebaya dan sarung dari Wastra Nusantara seperti Tenun dan Songket, sementara Bapak-bapak tampil gagah dalam kemeja Batik dan Wastra, atau kemeja koko dan sarung Tenun. Apa pun opsi busana kita di hari yang suci ini, baik Batik dan Ikat atau pun Songket dan Tapis, mari kita mengedepankan busana dari Batik atau Wastra buatan Indonesia. Tengoklah gaya busana apik Ibu Menteri Luar Negeri, para Duta Besar dan Konsul Jenderal Indonesia di luar negeri, mereka semua bangga mengenakan busana tradisional Tanah Air. Wherever we go, we will always be Indonesians, so put on those fab kebaya atau shirts and look amazing on Eid al-Fitr!

JET with Dr Yayan Mulyana, Indonesian Consul General in Sydney, and Mrs Irene Mulyana.

JET wears orange colored shirt crafted from Tenun (hand-woven) Makassar, South Sulawesi. Mrs Mulyana wears blue-colored sarong Tenun Makassar. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinSydney

HE Madam Retno Marsudi, Indonesian Foreign Minister, wearing white kebaya and yellow Batik sarong (in the center) with Madam Yasmin Fachir (spouse of Vice Foreign Minister) wearing Javanese Batik blouse and sarong (left to the Minister) and Madam Caecilia Legowo (spouse of Secretary General) wearing red kebaya at the Halal Bihalal (post Eid celebration) in Jakarta. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinKemlu #MenluRI

A Batik Family: HE Mr AM Fachir (Indonesian Vice Foreign Minister) and Madam Yasmin Fachir with their three adult children, all wearing delightful monochromatic colored Batik outfits. The iconic Batik patterns on their attire are titled Kawung and Parang. #WamenluRI

Madam Yasmin Fachir and her distinguished guests as she hosted Lebaran Celebration.

HE Mr Kristiarto Legowo, Secretary General of Indonesian Foreign Ministry, and Madam Caecilia Legowo wearing Batik sarong and sash.

During Halal Bihalal in Indonesian Foreign Ministry headquarter in Jakarta, HE Madam Prianti Gagarin, wearing a dress crafted from Indonesian Lurik (pinstripe patterned dress) with spouses of First Echelons/Director Generals in Indonesian Foreign Ministry, namely Madam Sari Percaya (spouse of Director general for Asian, Pacific and African Affairs), Madam Caecilia Legowo (spouse of Secretary General), Madam Virna Kiara Mayerfas (spouse of Inspector General) and Madam Tenri Rauf (spouse of Director General for Protocol and Consular Affairs).

HE Mr Darmansjah Djumala, Head Secretariat of the Indonesian President, wearing pale pink Batik shirt with Madam Dewiyanti Djumala wearing a pinkish Kaftan. 

In Washington DC, the first and second couple of Indonesian Embassy look elegant in Indonesian Batik.

HE Mr Budi Bowoleksono (Indonesian Ambassador to the US), in a Batik shirt, and Madam Reen Tahar Bowoleksono wearing burgundish kebaya with red flowery Batik sarong. Whereas, Mr Arto Suryodipuro (Indonesian Deputy Chief of Mission to the US), in a Balinese rangrang shirt, with Madam Dewi Ratna Suryodipuro wearing white embroidered kebaya with red Balinese endek sarong. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinUSA

While hosting an Eid al-Fitr celebrating in New York, Madam Yanti Djani dressed up in a lavender kebaya with a matching set of Batik sarong and sash as she accompanied her husband, HE Mr Dian Triansyah Djani (Indonesian Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the United Nations) who wore similar colored Batik shirt.

Sawunggaling is the title of Batik pattern on Ambassador Djani’s shirt. The pattern is inspired by a traditional folklore originating from East Java about a wise rooster. Go Tik Swan, the late Batik maestro, once created the pattern for Sukarno, Indonesian First President and Founding Father. The specific pattern depicts a regal and wise leadership. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinNewYork

Still in the city that never sleeps, Mr Benny Siahaan (Acting Consul General) with Mrs Wieske Siahaan puts on black kebaya and Batik sarong hosted Eid al-Fitr celebration in Indonesian Consulate General. In this photo, the Acting Consul General couple is visited by HE Mr Dian Triansyah Djani and Madam Yanti Djani. Both Mr and Mrs Djani wear mustard yellow hued Batik.

In Geneva, Madam Moeliek Wibowo, spouse of HE Mr Triyono Wibowo (Indonesian Ambassador/Permanent Representative to United Nations, WTO and other International Organizations) wear dark blue kebaya with Indonesian Tenun yellow sarong. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinSwitzerland

Still in Geneva, HE Mr Michael Tene (Ambassador/Deputy Permanent Representative) and Madam Atria Rai Tene wear pinkish long kebaya matched with Balinese Tenun sarong.

In London, HE Mr Rizal Sukma with Madam Hana Sukma wearing white kaftan-like blouse, accompanied by Madam Anita Luhulima (Deputy Chief of Mission) wearing black kebaya and East Nusa Tenggara Tenun sarong. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinUK

In Ottawa, HE Dr Teuku Faizasyah wearing a white koko shirt underneath his jacket with Madam Andis Erawan Faizasyah, in a lovely maroon kaftan-like blouse with greyish Batik sarong. The Ambassadorial couple hosted an outdoor celebration of Eid al-Fitr. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinCanada

In Canberra, Madam Nino Riphat (third from left), spouse of HE Mr Nadjib Riphat Kesuma (Indonesian Ambassador to Australia and Vanuatu) wore red Kebaya with matching Tapis sarong and sash as she led the members of Dharma Wanita Persatuan (organization of civil servants’ spouses) for a melodious choir during Lebaran celebration.

Tapis is a hand-woven cloth with golden threads originating from Lampung province in the island of Sumatera. Due to its thickness, Tapis would be perfect to be worn during winter. In contrast to those celebrating Lebaran during Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, Indonesian who reside in the Southern Hemisphere celebrate Lebaran during the Winter’s months. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinAustralia

In Den Haag, HE Mr I.G. A. Wesaka Puja (Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands), wearing Batik, accompanied by Madam Rusdijana Puja wearing white embroidered Kebaya and dark brown Batik sarong. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinTheNetherlands

In Budapest, HE Madam Wening Esthyprobo (Indonesian Ambassador to Romania) wearing Batik kaftan, hosted the Eid al-Fitr with Her Excellency’s staff. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinRomania

In Brussels, HE Mr Yuri Thamrin (Indonesian Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg) accompanied by Madam Sandra Thamrin wearing dark blue embroidered baju kurung with a matching set of Batik sarong and sash, hosted their first open house for Eid Al-Fitr. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinBelgium

In Auckland, Madam Rennie Wibowo Tavares, spouse of HE Mr Jose Tavares (Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand) dressed in a green kebaya and hand-painted Batik Pekalongan sarong in attending Lebaran celebration with Indonesian community.

#IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinNewZealand

In Dakar, HE Mr Mansyur Pangeran (Indonesian Ambassador to Senegal), in Batik shirt with Madam Febie MIrashanti, wearing blue kaftan with Tenun sarong, hosted their first Lebaran celebration in their newly assigned post. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinSenegal

In Dili, HE Mr Primanto Hendrasmoro (Indonesia Ambassador to Timor Leste) and Madam Peni Hendrasmoro wearing matching white kebaya and veil (kerudung). #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinTimorLeste

In the city of Angels, aka Los Angeles, Mr Umar Hadi (Indonesian Consul General) in white koko shirt with Madam Nila Umar Hadi, in red kebaya and monochromatic Batik sarong, welcoming guests at the Eid al-Fitr celebration,  including Mr Agung Laksono (former Indonesian Coordinating Minister) and Madam Sylvia Laksono. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinCalifornia

In the windy city of Melbourne, Madam Dewi Savitri Wahab (Indonesian Consul General to the State of Victoria and Tasmania in Australia) wearing gold colored baju kurung with red Songket accompanied by her spouse, Mr Wahab. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinMelbourne

In Osaka, Mr Wisnu Edi Pratignyo (Indonesian Consul General to Osaka) with Madam Anti Pratignyo wearing blue Batik skirt hosted Lebaran celebration with the home staff of Indonesian Consulate General. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinOsaka

In Noumea, Mr Widyarka Ryananta (Indonesian Consul General to New Caledonia) wearing pastel colored Batik shirt is interviewed by local reporter during Lebaran celebration. #IndonesianFashionDiplomacyinNoumea

Foodies would love to taste the unique and yummy taste of Indonesian culinary which is served specially during Lebaran celebration.

In Wisma Indonesia (Indonesian Consul General’s residence) in Sydney, guests were treated to various Indonesian culinary including chicken satay and sticky rice. #IndonesianCulinaryDiplomacyinSydney

Mr Haryono Setiadi, Indonesian born Australia based designer, patiently queuing for a delicious dish of home-made meatballs and bakwan soup during the Consul General’s Lebaran celebration in Sydney.

Either Indonesians or invited Australians and foreign dignitaries are excited to taste the best of Indonesian culinary. In this photo, Philippines Consul General in Sydney mingled with other guests at the meatball soup stall.

The lovely line dance titled Poco-poco from North Sulawesi was performed during Lebaran celebration in Indonesian Consulate General in Los Angeles. #IndonesianCulturalDiplomacyinCalifornia

Enthusiastic guests line up to meet and greet Indonesian Ambassador in Washington DC.

The lovely celebration of Eid al-Fitr in Wisma Indonesia (Indonesian Ambassador’s residence) in Washington DC.

Madam Yanti Djani (center), spouse of Indonesian Ambassador to United Nations in New York, wearing lavender kebaya with matching Batik sarong and sash accompanied by Mrs Susi Daruni, wearing white kebaya and red Batik sarong, and Mrs Indah Nuria Savitri wearing embroidery long kebaya-like kaftan in pale purple. Photo credit: Indah Nuria Savitri

Various mouth-watering dishes are arranged in Indonesian Ambassador to UN Residence in New York during Lebaran celebration, from opor ayam to sambal goreng ati. Photo credit: Indah Nuria Savitri. #IndonesianCulinaryDiplomacyinNewYork

L-R: Ms Nini Darmadji (Indonesian entrepreneur), Mr Novan Saleh (Consul on Information, Social and Culture) with Mrs Dewi Novan wearing kaftan, and JET during Lebaran celebration in Sydney.

JET with his Sydney-based cousins, dr Andreas Suryawan and Dr dr Emilia Prakoso at the Lebaran celebration in Wisma Indonesia, Sydney.

Wefie with my cousin-in-law, overlooking the super excited guests during Lebaran in Wisma Indonesia, Sydney. 

Notice:

JET and the featured Indonesian Minister/Ambassadors/Diplomats and spouses hold all rights of images. Any copy or reproduction of images would have to be communicated to JET and related parties.

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