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While talking to my Indonesian friend, Rifa, who has a beautiful smile, the topic of Indonesian marriages came up.
When I was in high school, I had the chance to participate in an Indonesian wedding. The attire and atmosphere were very different, but the sequence of events was very similar to Japanese weddings. The food, however, was way different.
The wedding I attended in Indonesia
The indigenous Betawi people, who live mostly around Jakarta, Rifa's birthplace, are famous for a particular traditional dish at weddings: crocodile bread. At the reception, 2 crocodiles made of bread, a male and female, are lined up. Crocodiles are said to be symbols of faithfulness, so the bread id made in the hope that the bride and groom will love each other for the rest of their lives. I couldn't hide my surprise when I heard that the size of the bread ranges from 50 centimeters to 1 meter. There is no actual crocodile in the ingredients, and their appearance can range from simple to very colorful. The taste is said to be sweet.
Author's drawing of crocodile bread
I want to see and eat in in person, but even in Indonesia it so rare that Rifa has yet to see it. He proudly told me that he has such a tradition. I also want to discover Japanese traditions and share them with the world.
ARMADINA KHAIRYZARIFA
（Nickname: Rifa）
College of International Management 4th year
Indonesia
(Published in the morning edition of the Oita Godo Shimbun on January 31, 2023)
Based on a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Oita Godo Newspaper, since January 2022, Student PR Assistants (SPA) have been contributing their interviews with international students to the life and culture section of the newspaper’s morning edition. SPA will introduce different cultures and the interesting topics they raise from an authentic, student perspective. These student writers take this opportunity to get the newspaper’s readership and students interested in the world as well as aim to improve their skills with the aid of professional editors.
Hello, everyone! My name is Mizuho, and I am a 4th year student in the College of Asia Pacific Studies. My hobbies are dancing, getting in touch with nature, and playing with animals! I used to do aikido, so I'm strong! :) I hope to interact with many people through SPA activities!
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