Look: Indonesians in UAE celebrate 81st Independence Day away from home

Indonesians living across the UAE filled the Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Monday morning as they celebrated Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day away from home.

The expats arrived wearing traditional clothes and textiles from different parts of their country, bringing together batik, tenun, songket and ikat.

The celebration began at 7am with the raising of Indonesia’s red and white flag, as embassy officials and members of the community gathered for the annual ceremony.

For a few hours, the embassy offered a small glimpse of the many cultures found across Indonesia. People from different regions stood together in their traditional clothes, reflecting the country’s national motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, or “Unity in Diversity”.

Indonesia’s Ambassador to the UAE, Judha Nugraha, said the different clothes and textiles worn during the celebration represented one of the country’s greatest strengths.

“The vibrant traditional attire and textiles we see today reflect the face of Indonesia,” he said. “We come from different regions and traditions, but under the Red and White flag, we are one Indonesia. This diversity is one of our nation’s greatest strengths.”

The morning also gave younger Indonesians growing up in the UAE a chance to take part in one of the most important traditions of Independence Day.

Eleven young Indonesians were selected and trained to become part of the embassy’s flag-hoisting troop, known as Paskibra.

They were given the responsibility of raising the Indonesian flag during the ceremony, keeping them involved in a tradition they might otherwise have experienced very differently while living away from Indonesia.

The ambassador said that keeping that connection alive among younger generations is particularly important.

“We want young Indonesians growing up abroad to stay connected to their cultural roots, take pride in their Indonesian identity, and carry the values of unity and gotong royong — working together — wherever they go,” Nugraha said.

“Indonesia’s rich culture also serves as a bridge that brings Indonesia closer to the people of the UAE and the wider international community.”

The celebration was not limited to Indonesians. Foreign nationals married to Indonesians also joined their families at the embassy to mark the occasion.

The community gathered for the traditional cutting of tumpeng, Indonesia’s cone-shaped yellow rice dish that is often served during important celebrations.

Children took part in an Indonesian cracker-eating contest, a pencil-in-the-bottle game and a traditional attire fashion show, taking part in familiar Independence Day activities from Indonesia in Abu Dhabi.