As is the case with other ethnic groups, the Betawi group is well integrated in the life of the city. In certain areas their cultural expressions in tradition and art forms are more distinct. In fact since the early 1970's the Betawi cultural art forms have been given much attention by the Government and with the rise of the tourism industry these art forms are experiencing a new impetus to flourish.

As the nation's capital, Jakarta is able to show all the various art forms of all the regions and ethnic groups in the archipelago. And to realize this idea in line with the motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika ( Unity in Diversity ), the regional government feels obliged to develop all traditional art forms as equitably as possible with the local Betawi art forms as host hesding the rest.

To see for themselves what and now those Betawi art forms are, you can go to any travel agent and ask for tour to a " Betawi Cultural Institution " to catch a glipse of the " real thing ". Or you can visit the Jakarta pavillion at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah ( Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park ) which has long been showing Betawi ceremonies such as the Betawi wedding ceremony, the circumcision procession, the baby head - shaving ceremony etc. As mentioned before, the Betawi group emerged in the 19th century from the melting pot of races, ethnic groups and cultures. Today the Betawi culture has a distinct personality of its own, but one can discern the various influences of other cultures by looking or listening to its art form.