A Final Bow to Indonesia's Sweet Cultural Heritage (8)

 A Final Bow to Indonesia's Sweet Cultural Heritage (8)

What an amazing journey it's been! We hope that through the seven chapters, you have traveled with us through this enveloping Indonesian archipelago from the spice-rich kitchens of Sumatra to the hectic bustling markets of Sulawesi into the forests of Papua. We are beginning to understand that Indonesia's traditional cakes (kue) are much more than only satisfying foods. The various kue we mentioned - the honeycomb-style kue Bika Ambon, the layered kue Lapis Legit, the green pasta-like kue Klepon, and so on - all have history to say, local wisdom to display, and community values to signal to us all. All of these kue also carry with them thoughts of diverse cultural Islamic plural identities in Java, reconciliation from Hindu spirituality in Bali, and ideas of vigorous improvisation in Nusa Tanggara. As you bite into a sticky bean-sized morsel of Lempok Durian or take a refreshing spoonful of Es Pisang Ijo, you're consuming something larger than yourself that is born from a specific life inside a particular place, region, and its people.

However, we must talk about something important. Our beautiful sweets heritage is at risk. This modern time of cupcakes and donuts is denying our traditional sweets. Why? Because it takes time and care to create these sweets and spending time is not easy to do in our time today. Just think of the laborious work involved in making Kue Lapis Sagu, waiting each time to build up each thin layer to begin to assemble it. Or the work involved in the developing of a Lempok Durian, and functioing at the hot stovetop and needing to stir continuously. If we watch our traditional sweets fade without speaking of them or sharing them, we are watching our skills fade into obscurity. And even when we lose a traditional sweet, we are not only losing a recipe, we are losing a unique memory, a unique piece of our family history, and a unique way that our ancestors cared for us.

There's no need to worry there's still opportunities! You can join us in fun and simple ways to help! First, find a kitchen to explore! Pick a cake that inspired you. Is it the luscious Jagung Catemak or the comfy Kue Bantal? It won't be perfect! The most important part is that you're trying, you're learning. Second, visit a traditional market. Find the kue tradisional sellers. You keep supporting them by purchasing from them. When you buy from them, you can say to the seller “Thanks for making these amazing cakes!” Third, be a mapper or sharer of the story. If you ever try a traditional cake, snap a picture! Learn the name! Then share the story with friends after you make it! If your grandma has great family cakes, ask her to teach you some! If we share the story of a cake, we keep the cake alive.

Our journey through Indonesia's cakes has shown us something beautiful: these treats are like delicious storykeepers. They remember our past for us. When we enjoy and share them, we're celebrating what makes Indonesia truly special for our amazing diversity, our creativity, and our warm hospitality that's baked into every cake. So let's make a promise together “let's keep tasting, keep learning, and keep sharing”. Let's make sure that our children and grandchildren can still enjoy these wonderful cake stories for years to come