Indonesians Enjoy Nature’s Light Show

M. Sulthan Azzam
2016.03.09
Padang, Indonesia
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The photo combo shows the moon passing in front of the sun during a total solar eclipse in the city of Ternate, in Indonesia's Maluku Islands, on March 9, 2016. (AFP)

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Acehnese men watch the total solar eclipse in Banda Aceh on March 9, 2016. (AFP)

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Jakarta residents and those from surrounding areas hold a special prayer in the nation’s main Istiqlal Mosque, March 9, 2016. (Tia Asmara/BenarNews)

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Locals pray in the Baiturrahim Mosque in Ulee Lheue, Banda Aceh, March 9, 2016, during the partial total eclipse in the area. (AFP)

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Planetarium visitors in Taman Ismail Marzuki Jakarta conduct a special prayer for the eclipse, March 9, 2016. (Arie Firdaus/BenarNews)

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Children play while adults gather for prayer at the Jami Grand Mosque in Kepanjen Malang, East Java, March 9, 2016. (Heny Rahayu/BenarNews)

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Young people observe the eclipse from Matantimali Mountain in Wayu Village of Sigi District, Central Sulawesi, March 9, 2016. (Keisyah Aprilia/ BenarNews)

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Students from the Minangkabau Green School observe the eclipse through their pinhole camera boxes in Padang, West Sumatra, March 9, 2016. (M. Sulthan Azzam/BenarNews)

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A staff member at the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency tracks the eclipse on her laptop computer in Malang, March 9, 2016. (Heny Rahayu/BenarNews)

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Locals in traditional outfits observe the eclipse in Matantimali, Wayu Village in Sigi District, Central Sulawesi, March 9, 2016. (Keisyah Aprilia/ BenarNews)

Indonesians welcomed a solar eclipse Wednesday with prayers, gatherings, festivals and rituals.

In Padang in West Sumatra – one of the 12 provinces where a total eclipse was visible – children from the Minangkabau Green School made pinhole cameras using recycled boxes.

Elsewhere, Muslims held special prayers. Thousands of Jakarta residents gathered at the nation’s main Istiqlal Mosque early in the morning and continued to pray throughout the day.

In Banda Aceh, people observed a partial solar eclipse from a tsunami evacuation building constructed after the devastating 2004 tsunami.

Meanwhile, some tribal groups held rituals to cast out demons believed to be linked to the total eclipse – and to entertain tourists. Thousands of foreigners flocked to Indonesia to witness the event.

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