New immigrant from Indonesia, Li Zhi Xiong, established a special dance group in Taiwan to promote hometown cultures

【Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network】Translated by CHI CHIA I

In this episode of "New Immigrants in Taiwan" Podcast unit, National Education Radio &【Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network】invited a new immigrant from Indonesia – Li Zhi Xiong (李志雄), who is currently the leader of the New Immigrants Volunteer Team at Zhongli Community University (中壢社區大學). At the same time, he is also the Vice President of the New Immigrants Human Rights Council (新住民人權理事會).

During the interview, he introduced the traditional Indonesian musical instrument "Gamelan" to readers and recommended an obscure local tourist attraction on "Belitung Island" for readers' reference.

Read More: New immigrant from Malaysia creates a picture book “Bangau Oh Bangau” in the form of collage art, promoting hometown culture

Li Zhi Xiong introduced the traditional Indonesian musical instrument "Gamelan" to readers. (Photo / Provided by Li Zhi Xiong)

Gamelan is Indonesian traditional ensemble music made up primarily of percussive instruments and performed by the Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese peoples.  

The most frequently played instruments are mallet-played metallophones and kendhang/Kendang, a set of hand-played drums that register the beat. 

The most frequently played instruments are mallet-played metallophones and kendhang/Kendang, a set of hand-played drums that register the beat.  In Bali, gamelan instruments such as the kemanak (a banana-shaped idiophone) and gangsa (another metallophone) are often used.

Even though gamelan's popularity has waned since the arrival of pop music, it is still widely used in Indonesia's traditional ceremonies and other modern activities, both formal and informal. Religious rituals, ceremonies, dance, dance-drama, traditional theater, wayang puppet theater, singing, concerts, festivals, exhibitions, and more are all accompanied by gamelan.

Read More: Canadian YouTuber in Taiwan, Wes Davies, satisfied his cravings for hometown food by trying authentic delicacies in Kaohsiung

Li Zhi Xiong recommends a travel destination “Belitung Island”, which is his hometown, to readers. (Photo / Retrieved from Pixabay)

Li Zhi Xiong then proceeded to introduce his hometown - Belitung Island. It is an island on the east coast of Sumatra which covers an area of 4,800 Square kilometers. Some of the islands, so-called ghost islands, would only surface when the tide ebbs.

Tanjung Tinggi Beach and Tanjung Kelayang Beach are two beaches with clear blue water, sand, and rocky shorelines. The coast of Belitung Island has a gentle slope, together with fine white sands and a tropical rainforest climate, making it very suitable for swimming, diving, rafting and other leisure activities. As Batu Berlayar Island is largely made of granite, tourists would be able to admire the unique geology & landscape of the island.

New immigrant from Indonesia - Li Zhi Xiong, established a special dance group. (Photo / Provided by Li Zhi Xiong)

In addition, Li Zhi Xiong, who has been residing in Taiwan for 21 years, has established a dance group specializing in Indonesian dance - Mei Li Yin Xiang (魅力印象). The group’s famous dance styles include TERBAIK, Bedhaya Dance, Bedhaya ketaeang -ritual dance, srimpi dance (pray for rain dance), Pencak Silat, etc.

Now, let’s listen to the story of “The beautiful imprint left by a brave boy in Taiwan”