This list of Indonesian inventions and discoveries details the indigenous arts and techniques, cultural inventions, scientific discoveries and contributions of the people of Indonesian Archipelago — both ancient and modern state of Indonesia. As a developing nation, currently Indonesia suffers a shortage of scientific personnel and engineers. The lack of research and development, also hampers Indonesia's comparative competitiveness. Nevertheless, despite the shortcomings, its people and government continues their efforts to advance the nation's science and technology sectors. Among other things, by promoting innovation and technology through Indonesia Science Day. Since ancient times, native Indonesians have accumulated knowledge and developed technology stemmed from necessities; from naval navigation knowledge, traditional shipbuilding technology, textile techniques, food processing to vernacular house building. Notable examples include jong, pinisi, perahu, Borobudur ship and sandeq vessels. In textile production, batik, ikat and songket were developed extensively by Indonesians. Living in tropical hot and humid environs, Indonesians also has developed the knowledge on food processing technology, especially fermentation, owed to the abundance of mold and fungi species in the region. Notable example includes tempeh, oncom, tuak, brem and tapai. In traditional art and entertainment, Indonesians have developed wayang kulit shadow theatre, various dance drama also gamelan orchestra. The scientific pursuit, technical improvement and technological innovation are continuously developed to this day, among other by institution such as Indonesian Institute of Sciences. Indonesia has a number of industries that producing various advanced technology tools and vehicles; from shipbuilding to weaponry, armoured car to aeroplane. Today, Indonesia has developed their own aviation technology, with the development of CN-235, N-219 and N-245.
Arts and entertainment
Wayang, a form of traditional puppet theatre found in Indonesia. Variants including wayang kulit shadow play and wayang golek. Wayang orang, a type of classical Javanese dance drama theatrical performance with themes taken from episodes of the Ramayana or Mahabharata. Topeng, Indonesian mask dance-drama in which one or more mask-wearing, ornately costumed performers interpret traditional narratives concerning fabled kings, heroes and myths, accompanied by gamelan music. Barong, Balinese lion dance, Barong is a lion-like creature and character in the mythology of Bali. The battle between Barong and Rangda is featured in Barong dance to represent the eternal battle between good and evil. Ondel-ondel, a large Betawi puppet folk performance, is about 2.5 meters tall with ± 80 cm diameter, made of woven bamboo where human can fit into it. The word ondel-ondel refers to both the performance and the puppet. Javanese dance, the dances and art forms that were created and influenced by Javanese culture. Balinese dance, an ancient dance tradition that is part of the religious and artistic expression among the Balinese people of Bali. Balinese dance is dynamic, angular and intensely expressive. Kecak, a form of Balinese dance and music drama that was developed in the 1930s in Bali. Formed as a coordinated chants and arm movements. Saman, an intricately choreographed dance of thousand hands of Gayo ethnic group, Aceh. Ketoprak, a theatrical genre of Java featuring actors who may also sing to the accompaniment of the gamelan. It draws its stories from Javanese history and romances, invented as recent as 1923. Sandiwara, a genre of traditional theatrical drama of Indonesia. In general, it refer to any kinds of drama or theatrical performances, and literally sandiwara means "to pretend" or "to act". However, the term is often used to describe a genre of traditional drama of West Java, with notable example include the once famous Sandiwara Miss Tjitjih.
Music
Gamelan, the traditional ensemble music native to Java and Bali made up predominantly of percussive instruments, especially metallophones. Angklung, the bamboo musical instrument made by attaching bamboo tubes into bamboo frame and shake it to create the sound, native to Sundanese of West Java. Kolintang, an ancient instrumental form of music composed on a row of small, horizontally laid gongs, especially prevalent in the eastern Malay Archipelago—the southern Philippines, eastern Indonesia (North Sulawesi, Maluku, East Nusa Tenggara), East Malaysia, Brunei and Timor. Keroncong, is the name of a ukulele-like instrument and also refer to a genre of Indonesian musical style. It was derived from Portuguese influence on colonial Indonesia. Langgam Jawa, a regional form of Indonesian kroncong music most often associated with the city of Surakarta (Solo). Langgam jawa utilizes a variety of non-native instruments, such as the flute, guitar, ukulele, cello and violin. However, these instruments are performed using a seven-tone Javanese gamelan scale known as pelog. The song mostly performed in Javanese. Campursari, a crossover of several contemporary Indonesian music genres, mainly Javanese Langgam Jawa and Dangdut. Dangdut, a popular genre of Indonesian folk and traditional popular music that was influenced by Hindustani, Malay, and Arabic music. Pop Indo, Indonesian pop music. Rock Indo, rock music from Indonesia.
Game
Congklak, a mancala game played in Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines. Although the origin is obscure, the oldest tradition of similar game can be traced to Javanese dakon with pitmarked stones from the bronze-Iron Age period of Indonesia. Galasin, or galah asin or gobak sodor, traditional Indonesian games. Surakarta (game), an Indonesian strategy board game for two players, named after the ancient city of Surakarta in central Java. The game features an unusual method of capture which is unique and not known in any other board game.
Clothing and fashion
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