by Putri, age 9, asks if Christmas Island crabs are edible, about Indonesia’s islands, and religious diversity
Dear Santa,
Halo from Jakarta. My name is Putri and I am 9 years old. My uncle once sailed near Christmas Island and told me the most incredible story about millions of red crabs covering the roads, and ever since then I have had one very specific question I cannot stop thinking about.
My first question is: are Christmas Island crabs edible?
My second question is geography: how many islands does Indonesia have?
My third question is from school: why does Indonesia celebrate Christmas as a public holiday even though it has the world’s largest Muslim population?
I left you klepon, little green rice cakes with palm sugar inside.
Love, Putri, age 9, Jakarta, Indonesia
From the Desk of Father Christmas
Dear Putri, klepon was a delightful surprise, that little burst of palm sugar in the middle is pure magic. Now, to your crab question and the others.
Are Christmas Island crabs edible?
Technically, yes, the red crabs of Christmas Island are not poisonous and could be eaten, but in practice almost nobody does, and for good reason. The red crab migration is one of the most extraordinary natural events on Earth, and the crabs are carefully protected by conservation laws on Christmas Island, since their population and migration matter enormously to the health of the island’s ecosystem. Harvesting them is restricted, and local communities and scientists work hard to protect the migration each year rather than treat the crabs as food. So the honest answer is that while they could be eaten, they are treated as a natural treasure to be protected and admired instead.
How many islands does Indonesia have?
Indonesia is made up of more than 17,000 islands, making it the largest island country in the entire world. Only about 6,000 of those islands are inhabited, and the rest remain wild, forested, and largely untouched.
Why does Indonesia celebrate Christmas as a public holiday?
Indonesia officially recognises six religions, including Christianity, and while the majority of Indonesians are Muslim, the country also has millions of Christians, particularly in places like Flores, Papua, and North Sulawesi. Because of that religious diversity, Indonesia marks the major holidays of each recognised faith with public holidays, including Christmas, as part of a national commitment to pluralism and mutual respect among its many communities.
Tell your uncle his crab story reached the North Pole, and I shall see you very soon.
Ho ho ho, Santa
