Preserving Indonesian Culture in the Heart of Philadelphia
Indonesian Cultural Celebrations in Philadelphia
Dozens of people gathered in South Philly on Saturday at the Gamelan Gita Santi’s fall concert and food pop-up. Inside the PAX center, a traditional Indonesian orchestra made up of percussion instruments came to life as both children and adults participated. Dancers from Modero&Co, focused on traditional Indonesian dance, performed Balinese dances, creating a mesmerizing scene.
Andy Ratitio Putro performed Tari Margapati, the King of the Forest dance, showcasing the beauty and diversity of Indonesian culture. Sinta Penyami Storms, founder of Modero&Co, emphasized the importance of preserving their culture and passing it on to the younger generation. Their specific programs involve a lot of young people, from musicians to dancers and volunteers, ensuring that their culture never dies.
The Growth of the Indonesian Community in Philadelphia
Penyami Storms was born in Indonesia and moved to Philadelphia in 1999. She noticed a significant growth in the Indonesian community over the past several years. According to the Pew Research Center, there were 2,000 Indonesian Americans living in Philadelphia in 2019, and now it's likely tripled. This growth is a testament to the community's vitality and the efforts of organizations like Gapura.
Gapura, co-founded by Penyami Storms, co-hosted Saturday's event. Their mission is to honor traditions and empower the community. By talking about cultural traditions and dreaming with the younger generation, they are making a positive impact.
Introducing Gamelan to a Wider Audience
Aditya Setyawan, co-founder and co-director of Gapura, witnessed the positive vibe as both Indonesian and non-Indonesian kids played in the gamelan taught by Tom Whitman from Swarthmore College. It's been a great experience as many people, both kids and adults, are curious about gamelan and come to participate and love it.
Gapura tries to hold events every three months to showcase what they've been learning. They recognize that Indonesian culture is not widely known, and by showcasing it, people can learn more about Indonesia and its culture. Next year, they plan to start an afterschool program for kids and work with older generations to teach technology and digital literacy skills.
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