Welcoming 2025 with Lutfi, the Firecracker Seller
New Year’s Eve is a moment eagerly anticipated by many. The sound of firecrackers echoing through the air symbolises joy...
Faces of Indonesia
Ria the Incense Master
Bali is often referred to as a spiritual hub and is the only Hindu-majority province in Indonesia. Evidently, Balinese Hinduism...
Ikin Kuswara: Dedication and Work Ethics in Old Age
Kuswara reflects on nearly three decades of dedication to his work, sharing the joys and challenges of his journey as...
Yusuf of Fania Florist and His Act of Love
Many would agree that flowers are a timeless expression of love. Whether in celebration, moments of grief, times of illness,...
Hasnan: The Handy Apple Mechanic at Hi-Comp
As a writer in the digital age, a laptop malfunction can be just about the worst thing that can happen...
Farubai: The Bicycle Rental Man at Kota Tua
Jakarta never runs out of inspiring stories, and one of them is about Farubai. I met Farubai at Jakarta’s Kota...
I Nyoman Gumbreg, the Lively Go-Box Driver
Moving homes can be incredibly stressful, and finding reliable movers only adds to the challenge. If you are anything like...
Pak Ayi: The ‘Delman’ Driver Keeping Tradition Alive
In the bustling streets of Jakarta, where motorbikes, cars, and buses dominate the scene, one mode of transport stands out...
Poxs, the Travelling Bakso Seller
Have you ever heard of the occasional random noises passing by your street throughout the day? It might just be...
Ferzya from Aceh
Whenever I meet someone on my travels around Indonesia like Ferzya, I am filled with great hope for the future...
Inaro the Kerokan Healer
A conversation about world of healing would be incomplete without mentioning the wonderful world of kerokan. Kerokan, synonymous with masuk...
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...
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...
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...
Keribo, Danu and Agay: The Buskers
Keribo and his friends Danu and Agay take pride in entertaining bus passengers - they ride anywhere between 40 and...
Faces Of Jakarta: Yanti, The Warteg Lady
It’s 5:30 on a Thursday evening in the middle of Ramadhan. Yanti, a newly anointed grandmother, is cursorily taking gorengan...
Faces Of Jakarta: Husin, The Ice Man
With Ramadhan in full swing you’d think that Husin’s business, selling ice to the 30 or more vendors and food...
Faces Of Jakarta : Imron, The Carpenter
No one cares more for details than Imron. As a carpenter at Konsep Gallery along Jalan Kemang Timur Raya in...
Petty : The Restaurant Critic
For the last nine years Petty Elliot has been living a secret life. She’s ducked in and out of Jakarta’s...
Pak Trisno : The Ojek Driver and Devoted Father
No one loves Jakarta’s traffic as much as Trisno. It’s his bread and butter. His clients leave the office at...
Herwan: The Painter
Herwan’s shirt keeps the paint from dripping on his face. He figured out how to wrap the turban on his...