VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

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When you visit Magetan Regency in East Java, Sarangan Lake is a must-visit destination. In the area, there is the Geniangit tourist village, which has become a new icon of tourism in Magetan. The village offers stunning natural views of Magetan. After exploring and visiting various interesting tourist spots in Magetan, don't forget to buy some local souvenirs before you leave. One of them is Jerangking. Jerangking is a traditional snack from Magetan known for its savory and crispy taste.

Jerangking is made from simple ingredients: glutinous rice, grated coconut, salt, and tapioca flour. The process begins by mixing all the ingredients, and then cutting them into thin squares. These pieces are then dried in the sun. After that, Jerangking is grilled over charcoal until it is dry and turns brownish.

Jerangking has a crispy texture with a savory flavor. The snack is perfect to enjoy with coffee or hot sweet tea. If you're interested in buying Jerangking, you can find it at souvenir shops or traditional markets in Magetan. It's relatively affordable, priced at about 20,000 to 25,000 rupiahs, or about 1.3 to 1.6 US dollars per package.

An Indonesian-Thai art exhibition called "Blending Souls,” organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, has been officially opened at the National Gallery of Thailand, taking place from October 4th to 30th.

According to a press statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok on Monday (Oct. 7th), the exhibition showcases the finest works of 14 Indonesian and 10 Thai artists, exploring various themes ranging from cultural symbols to personal reflections on diplomacy.

This exhibition is supported by renowned Indonesian curators:Agus Dermawan T., Mikke Susanto, and Thai curator Padhung Prommoon.

Indonesian Ambassador to Thailand, Rachmat Budiman, conveyed his hope that the exhibition would become a space for creative collaboration and strengthen the bond between artists and communities from both countries. Ambassador Rachmat also contributed three of his paintings, which reflect the cultural diplomacy between Indonesia and Thailand.

The exhibition’s grand opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting on Friday(4/10), led by Ambassador Rachmat and the President of the Thai Senate, Mongkol Surasajja. Joining them were Executive Secretaryof the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, and senior officials from Thailand’s Ministry of Culture.

The event was attended by 270 guests, including diplomatic corps members, art academics, art enthusiasts, and collectors. Bangkok’s Governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, praised the Indonesian Embassy for organizing the exhibition, stating that it would strengthen mutual understanding and deepen the friendship between the two countries.

The opening ceremony also featured a live painting performance by Indonesian artist Sugeng Pramuji Hidayat. During their stay in Bangkok, the Indonesian artists actively participated in workshops and discussions at the Indonesian School in Bangkok, the American School of Bangkok, the Poh Chang Academy of Arts, and the National Gallery of Thailand.

We meet again in Let's Speak Bahasa Indonesia which introduces you to Indonesian vocabulary and guides you to use it properly. Let's Speak Bahasa Indonesia is a collaboration between Voice of Indonesia, the Overseas Service of Radio Republik Indonesia and Language Development and Fostering Agency, Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. Our topic today is "Di Bima" (In Bima).

Here is a monologue titled "Memukulkan Tongkat Kayu" (Hitting Wooden Stick). This monologue is performed by Chris, a vlogger from Australia, while recording the "kareku kandei"  or pounding rice seeds competition at the Rimpu Mantika Festival, Bima City, West Nusa Tenggara Province. Chris describes the rhythm created from the sound of the tools used. Let’s listen to the monologue. 

Chris (P): Saat ini saya sedang menonton lomba kareku kandei atau lomba menumbuk pada lesung dalam sebuah festival budaya. Dari sini terdengar suara peralatan yang berirama. Para peserta memukulkan tongkat kayu ke lesung atau wadah kayu.  

Here are some vocabulary related to today's topic, "Memukulkan Tongkat Kayu" (Hitting Wooden Stick).

"Peserta" (Participant)  

"Memukulkan" (To hit with)  

"tongkat kayu" (wooden stick)  

"Lesung" (Mortar)  

"wadah kayu" (wooden container)  

"Para peserta memukulkan tongkat kayu ke lesung atau wadah kayu" (The participants hit the wooden stick against the mortar or wooden container)  

"menonton" (to watch)  

"lomba" (competition)  

In the monologue, there is the phrase "Para peserta memukulkan tongkat kayu ke lesung atau wadah kayu" (The participants hit the wooden stick against the mortar or wooden container). In this phrase, there is the expression "memukulkan tongkat kayu" (hitting with a wooden stick), which means "making the wooden stick a tool for hitting." In the context of the sentence, Chris describes the participants of the competition who are hitting the wooden stick against the wooden container.


Another Example:

Here is an example of using affixed words that mean using something as a tool in other sentences.

"Mengikatkan" (To tie with)  

"Nelayan mengikatkan tali besar di ujung kapalnya" (The fisherman ties a big rope to the end of his boat)


"Membalutkan" (To wrap with)  

"Saya membalutkan perban di kakinya" (I wrap the bandage on his leg)


Kareku kandei (pounding rice seeds) is a unique tradition of the people of Bima City, West Nusa Tenggara province, that has been around since ancient times. This activity is usually performed by women. The activity of pounding rice creates a rhythmic sound. Kareku Kandei was registered by the Indonesian government as an intangible cultural heritage of Indonesia in 2017.

There are many tourism villages in West Java. One of the most famous tourism villages is Mekarbuana Tourism Village in Karawang. This village has beautiful and calming natural scenery. Surrounded by lush green rice fields, fragrant coffee plantations, and dense durian orchards, it thrives due to its location at the foot of Mount Sanggabuana. Being in the mountains, the village provides a comfortable atmosphere and cool air. Mekarbuana Village, located in the southernmost part of Tegalwaru District, Karawang Regency, is a green oasis offering stunning natural beauty amidst Karawang’s industrial reputation.

Mekarbuana Village has a uniqueness not found in many other places in Karawang Regency. In this village, visitors can enjoy a contrasting experience of lush green natural beauty against the backdrop of a district known as an industrial area. The village's coffee and durian plantations offer not only beautiful scenery, but also an opportunity for travellers to learn about the planting and harvesting of these two popular commodities in Karawang.

When visiting Mekarbuana Tourism Village, located about 42 km from the center of Karawang city, be sure to explore the coffee and durian plantations, which are one of the village's main attractions. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy fresh durian, picked straight from the tree during the harvest season from September to March. In addition to natural and agro-tourism, culinary and cultural attractions are also abundant in this village. The top natural spots include Cigentis Waterfall, Bandung Waterfall, and the scenic Cigentis River in the rocky terrain of Mekarbuana Village. Moreover, there’s culinary tourism, such as Wakil Enim Café, offering authentic Sundanese cuisine.