Inaro the Kerokan Healer
A conversation about world of healing would be incomplete without mentioning the wonderful world of kerokan. Kerokan, synonymous with masuk...
Faces of Indonesia
Aini Abdul – The Sailor’ Daughter
Aini Abdul was born in a small village in Southwest Kalimantan to a Dayak Iban father and a Javanese mother....
Abdul the Kopaja Driver
It’s a lazy Sunday afternoon along Jalan Sudirman, and Abdul Kodir is taking his time. Abdul is sitting in the...
Linda the Tsunami Survivor
Linda’s story is somewhat of a reflection of Aceh itself, sad but uplifting. Her life was changed forever a little...
Trisno the Mobile Coffee Seller
Trisno was far from surprised when Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle chairwoman, Megawati Sukarnoputri gave Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo the...
Siti the Dayak Dancer
Siti is an extraordinarily beautiful and determined young woman. Her story is one of courage and determination and a desire...
Laiman the Cigarette-Loving Restaurant Manager
The ash on Laiman’s cigarette curls and turns grey like a witch’s fingernail. It finally falls on his pants. He...
Pak Anden: the Dayak Elder and Village Chief
Pak Anden greeted me by smudging my forehead and cheeks with a white powdered paste. After I received my traditional...
Dewi: A Success Story
Dewi is a bright, young 19-year-old and has a real spark about her. She was so excited to tell me...
Dede the Ojek Payung
For as long as there have been umbrellas, there have been ojek payung. Every time the skies open over the...
Fizal the Jalan Surabaya Shop Apprentice
For the best deals, it?s a good idea to peek back behind the first row of shops and along the...
Made Sudarsana the Topeng Dancer
Made Sudarsana has been dancing since he was seven years old. ?We learn dancing as a child,? Made explained. ?The...
Mur the Offering Lady
Mur is 16 years old and has been dutifully carrying out her task as a tukang banten since she was...
Nathan the Snake Rescuer
For people like Nathan Rusli, who picked up his first cobra at the ripe old age of six, handling snakes...
Grandma Ni Made Sibuh of Petemon Village
I sat talking with Grandma Ni Made Sibuh in her village in Petemon where she has lived all her life....
Peter The Driver Sporting a Movember Moustache
Every morning for the past few weeks, as Peter Sembiring is on his way out the door, leaving to go...
Ahmad Setiawan: Ex-Street Kid Turned Environmentalist
When 20-year-old Andreas Ahmad Setiawan lost his entire family in the 2004 tsunami, he didn't know where to turn. He...
Kadek the Penjor Maker
It’s a happy time in Bali when Galungan rolls around because the Balinese Hindus believe the Gods come to earth...
Wayan the Ubud Painter
Wayan lives in Ubud, but as an artist who paints for a living, he does not turn to Ubud to...
“Iman”: the Exotic Pet Trader
Although Jalan Barito renowned for its access to some of Indonesia?s most exotic pets, Iman dismisses the rumour that eager...
Faces of Jakarta: Citra, the National Library Librarian
For the last six years, Citra, who boards a train and a bajaj every day, wakes up well before the...