Indonesia consists of 34 provinces with different customs, traditions, and languages. One of the forms of regionalism is customary clothing, which has a deep value and philosophy.
To celebrate Independence Day this year, the president wore Meukeusah clothes, considered to be a highlight of the customs of Aceh, while Vice President Jusuf Kalla and the Presidential Security Guards were also dressed in different traditional clothing from different areas across the country.
In addition, some invited guests, who packed the courtyard of the Merdeka Palace, were also seen wearing their respective traditional attires to enliven the celebration of the Independence Day anniversary.
Since the commemoration of Independence Day in 2017, President Joko Widodo had initiated the wearing of regional clothing for invited guests as a form of appreciation for the diversity of the Nusantara culture.
"Yes, our country has a lot of customs and traditions. There are also many traditional clothes, hundreds, maybe thousands," the President said.
The head of state, himself, said that this year he wore the traditional clothing of Aceh, which he chose from many different choices.
In the meantime, First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo wore a Minangkabau traditional dress, while other guests wore traditional clothing from West Java, West Sumatra, Bali, DKI Jakarta, East Java, Sulawesi, and other provinces.
Reporting by Desca Lidya and Hanni Sofia
Editing by Otniel T, Andi Abdussalam
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
