National holiday
On 17 August, Indonesia celebrates the proclamation of its independence in 1945 with flag ceremonies, red and white decorations and cheerful neighbourhood games.
Photo: Zoraya Project / Unsplash
17 August every year
Across Indonesia, from village streets to the national ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
Watch the flag-raising, join neighbourhood games such as sack races and tug of war, and enjoy local food.
Dirgahayu Republik Indonesia!: Long live the Republic of Indonesia!
On 17 August 1945, in Jakarta, Sukarno read out the proclamation of Indonesian independence, with Mohammad Hatta at his side. The years that followed brought conflict and negotiation before independence was recognised, but 17 August remains the day the nation celebrates its birth. People often call the celebrations tujuh belasan, from the Indonesian for seventeen.
Throughout August, homes, offices and streets are decorated in red and white, the colours of the national flag. On the morning of the 17th, schools, offices and communities hold flag-raising ceremonies; the national ceremony takes place at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, led by the President, and is shown on television. In the afternoon, neighbourhoods come alive with lomba, friendly competitions for all ages. Favourites include balap karung (sack races), tarik tambang (tug of war), marble-and-spoon races and eating crackers hanging from a string. In many places, teams try the panjat pinang, climbing a greased pole to reach prizes at the top.
Each region adds its own touch, with parades, traditional music, boat races or local food. The common thread is community: neighbours organise the games together and everyone is invited.
Hold your own tujuh belasan games:
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If you are in Indonesia on 17 August, look out for neighbourhood games in the afternoon; visitors are usually welcome to watch and sometimes to join in. Stand respectfully during the flag ceremony and national anthem. Expect some road closures and busy streets, and note that offices and many services close for the public holiday.
Tujuh belas is Indonesian for seventeen, so tujuh belasan refers to the celebrations around 17 August. The games are often called lomba tujuh belasan.
A team game in which people climb a tall, greased pole, often standing on each other’s shoulders, to reach prizes hung at the top. It is noisy, messy and great fun to watch.
Yes. It is a national public holiday, so schools and most offices close, while many communities organise ceremonies and games.
