10 best indonesian souvenirs

Love them or loathe them, souvenirs are intrinsic to the travel experience. Natasha Dragun and illustrator Christine Berrie celebrate our best, and worst, in travel keepsakes

1 BOROBUDUR SNOW GLOBE

The world’s largest Buddhist monument rarely sees temperatures below 20 degrees – but don’t let that stop you from capturing it in a blizzard with one of these classic snow globes. This keepsake serves a double purpose: firstly, to recall the remarkable layout of Borobudur – and your exploration in clockwise circles around each level towards eventual enlightenment at the top; and secondly, as the country’s iconic landmark, it has the added kitsch appeal – place it next to your Great Wall and the Eiffel Tower globes, and you’ll have the set.

2 BINTANG SINGLET

Banned from high-end establishments, a Bintang singlet is sure to get you street-cred when you get back home. Actually probably not. Placed in the so-bad-it’s-good category, this item of apparel, emblazoned with Indonesia’s favorite beer brand, sells like hot cakes in the local tourist markets. And if you really want to look like an archetypal tourist, wear one with your new beaded hair braids and a henna tattoo. While they may be tacky, they’re cheap and functional, and will sit perfectly in your wardrobe next to that Red Bull singlet from Bangkok.

3 GUITARS

In line with its passion for rock music, Indonesia makes a lot of guitars, from the classic acoustic, to the primitive sasando guitars of Rote Island, southwest Timor. Sasandos are the ultimate conversation starters at a dinner party – wow your guests with the fact it’s made from the split leaf of the lontar palm and has either 28 or 56 strings. Alternatively, if it’s the real thing you’re after, you can get yourself a competitively priced classic at any music store; even music giant Yamaha makes many of its guitars in Indonesia.

4 PAPUAN DRUM

If you like your souvenirs loud, you shouldn’t miss buying a Papuan drum. Most commonly crafted by Western Papuan artisans, especially from the Asmat tribe, the instruments are traditionally played at ceremonial events. Since the disappearance of Michael Rockefeller in the Asmat region in the 1960s, America has been fascinated with Asmat art – and good pieces can be highly prized. Given this, and the work that goes into the drums – each is superbly carved and topped with lizard or crocodile skin – you may want to display yours behind glass.

5 WAYANG PUPPETS

Indonesia’s wayang kulit, or shadow puppet show, is a cultural must-see, and the flat puppets crafted from buff alo hide and mounted on bamboo sticks star in shows based on tales such as the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. Puppet figures vary from region to region, depending on the style of the show. The wayang golek, originating from Java’s north coast and using rod puppets, have a three-dimensional, lifelike nature and fine craftsmanship that make them perfect to take home and display – casting a very Indonesian shadow on your wall.

6 LOMBOK MASKS

Those looking to banish evil spirits from their home will want to make a beeline for the arts and crafts stalls on Lombok. Meticulously fashioned from mahogany and inlaid with shell, the island’s hand-painted masks have a long history interwoven with tradition, religion and just a hint of fantasy – many locals believe that having a mask in your home will guarantee positive energy. Deities and demons alike are represented in the dozens of diff erent mask designs crafted by Lombok’s artisans, so start making space on your walls now.

7 BATIK

Some of Indonesia’s finest hand-stamped batiks originate from central Java, yet you need not go to the source for quality. From home ware to haute couture to men’s shirts, boutiques across the country stock a staggering array of batik products. An item that’s always as stylish as it is functional is the humble, wraparound sarong: off the beach, it can double as a pillow, wall hanging or blanket. And if traditional prints are not to your taste, go super-loud Hawaiian style, or try a fabric Salvador Dali or Frida Kahlo knock-off.

8 PAINTED SURFBOARDS

Home to legendary surf breaks like Nias, Nihiwatu, and Ulluwatu, Indonesia’s surfers’ playground comes with a barrage of surf shops, selling everything from shorts to custom-made, hand-painted surfboards. They’re painted in many diff erent styles, but this retro, air-brushed, spirit-ofthe-70s style is our favorite. If you’ve enough room in your luggage, you could buy the real thing, while those with limited space can grab a miniature version, like this key chain, a perfect reminder in a traffic jam of where you’d rather be.

9 FISH CRACKERS

If you thought all fish crackers were the same, think again. While Rotary are popular, krupuk comes in a fantastic array of shapes, sizes and colors. Some even say you can tell from where a person originates by the krupuk they eat. Made from fish or prawn meat minced with sago flour and spices, the deep-fried crackers pair remarkably well with a fiery sambal and cold drink. And judging by the shopping bags at most airports, they’re one of Indonesia’s most popular souvenir snacks to take home.

10 SHIP KITES

Kites are a serious business in Indonesia, and the country has festivals dedicated to kite craft and flying. Outside of these, locals and tourists alike throw caution to the wind on a regular basis: on any given day, Bali’s Kuta beach bustles with crowds flying hand-crafted kites shaped as planes, animals and even ships. You won’t have trouble locating shops to buy a souvenir – but for particularly pretty ship kites, head to the beach in front of Ku De Ta, where sellers mark territory with a boat in the breeze.

HOT SHOPS

For local flavor in the Indonesian capital, don’t miss Alun Alun (Jln MH Thamrin) in the west wing of the Grand Indonesia shopping mall. Sprawling over 4,000 square meters, the mini department store sells upscale art, clothes, and handicrafts from across the archipelago.

Pasar Beringharjo (Jln A Yani), the main market in Jogjakarta, is a double-story emporium overflowing with handicrafts including batik, clothes, and other souvenirs – the ground floor is a food-lovers paradise.

While the Kuta neighborhood of Bali can be brash and overbearing, its high concentration of hole-in-the-wall handicraft stores makes it a one-stop-shop for Indonesian souvenirs. Head to Jalan Legian, where stores sell everything from notorious Bintang singlets to sublime antiques and instruments.