On Saturday, 3 November 2018, the Embassy of Indonesia in Abuja held the 4th edition of “Taste of Indonesia” which was held in the Indonesian Ambassador’s residence in Abuja FCT. Taste of Indonesia is the Embassy’s annual culinary festival which is mixed with a bazaar and various Indonesian cultural performances.
Every year, the event takes a different theme from regions in Indonesia where the Indonesian community in Nigeria will wear the traditional attire of the current year’s theme. The theme in 2016 and 2017 were Bali and Javanese culture respectively, and the 2018 edition of Taste of Indonesia took on the theme of Bugis culture from the southern part of Celebes Island.
More than 400 people who came to the event had the chance to experience directly various Indonesian cultural performances, such as the Golek Mayang Dance, Tari Kipas Dance, and Tari Tor-Tor Dance. One of the highlights of the event was when visitors took part in a bamboo musical ensemble, using the Indonesian traditional bamboo instrument named “Angklung”. Visitors were given one Angklung instrument each and they played well-known songs such as the Nigerian national anthem. Local Nigerian artisans were also given space to display some very exquisite handicrafts and cultural products.
Taste of Indonesia 2018 was also held as a charity event for disaster relief efforts in Indonesia. The event successfully garnered more than Naira.1,5 Million and USD.1,500 in which all proceeds will be transferred to relief efforts coordinated by the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency.
The event was supported by prominent enterprises in Nigeria including Dufil, Wings Food, Energo, Making Future, Colenco, Al Basha Palace, Chopsticks, The Clubhouse, Duo Restaurant, Secret Garden, Dunes Center, and the Society of Nigerian Artists. Indonesian enterprises also contributed to the event, such as Kimia Farma, Dexamedica, Allera Batik, and PT. Timah.
The Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Mr. Harry Purwanto expressed his gratitude to all those that have supported the success of Taste of Indonesia 2018 and hopes that the event contributes positively in strengthening the people-to-people connection between Nigeria and Indonesia.
Diplomatic Watch captured some more exciting moments in pictures and video.
Victor Gotevbe is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of Diplomatic Watch. He is the Managing Director of Conduit Communications Limited.
