Kalimantan
Kalimantan is the Indonesian part of Borneo, the third largest island in the world.
Where is Kalimantan?
Central Kalimantan is one of five provinces and Palangka Raya is the capital city.
Palangka Raya is a rapidly developing city, with a population of 281,000 people. The city, much like the rest of Borneo, enjoys a very warm climate with high humidity, averaging 33°C by day with 88% humidity. Rungan Sari is the Subud community located 36km north-west of Palangka Raya city centre.
Palangka Raya, Capital City of Central Kalimantan
Being relatively young in its development, Palangka Raya lacks infrastructure that may be commonplace in other developed cities around Indonesia. Road infrastructure is present but limited, with little to no public transport available.
Hospitals and clinics are fairly commonplace, however they do not offer the same quality of healthcare that can be found in major cities such as Jakarta.
Finally, the tap water found within most households and commercial buildings is not of drinkable quality.
On the other hand, Palangka Raya is beautifully developed with close ties to traditional Dayak culture, and its buildings and monuments pay homage to its peoples’ ancestors.
The city, and Rungan Sari, are well equipped to provide access to nearby national parks and wildlife, including but not limited to overnight boat tours and orangutan sightseeing.
Cultural Norms
The cultural norms in Kalimantan (i.e. what is viewed as acceptable or not acceptable) are closely akin to those found within rural village life in Java, as opposed to a major city such as Jakarta or Kuta, Bali.
In Kalimantan, each desa (village) has its own rules. The rules have evolved over hundreds of years and their purpose is to uphold the integrity and stability of the community.
the below information and guidelines will assist in adjusting to the local culture.
Over time, travellers may notice disparities and contradictions to these norms, as with any culture. However, we recommend giving some attention to the advice below, as it will help ease you into the culture and show respect to the people within whose country you are a visitor. We invite Subud members to enter Indonesia with a sense of respect, openness and a willingness to experience a different culture and customs, even if those customs are not commonplace within your home country.
Refrain from the use of alcohol and drugs
Most Indonesians are Muslim, and the consumption of alcohol is not customary. In addition, the use of drugs is illegal and carries severe consequences within Indonesia. Please refrain from bringing and consuming alcohol or drugs during the World Congress or offering it to the youth in the community.
Keep loud or open expressions of emotion to a minimum
Engaging in loud expressions, except amongst family or close friends, can often be disturbing towards local Indonesians. To disturb another person’s emotions is often considered a real offence. This can encompass getting impatient with someone providing a service or failing to remain
calm with strangers.
Dress appropriately and modestly
For men, t-shirts and shorts are customarily only worn within Kalimantan households.
For women, conventional western dress styles are fashionable, however the culture within Kalimantan is more conservative than western culture, so showing skin can be frowned upon. Short shorts, sleeveless tops and short skirts are also seen as inappropriate. We recommend dressing more formally (long pants/trousers and shirts) during social gatherings and formal events.
Minimise displays of physical affection
Please refrain from any physical, public expressions of a romantic or sexual nature. In addition, we recommend keeping physical interactions with other people to a minimum, even if they are a partner/spouse.