Ondel-ondel: Source of entertainment, livelihood on the streets
The first day of the Malaysia-Indonesia Journalist Friendship Alliance (Iswami) Malaysia delegation visit to Indonesia’s capital city took an unexpected turn for Bernama reporters and photographers when they found themselves being chased by two giant-sized puppets while walking around Thamrin City at night.
However, this turned out to be a delightful experience for the reporters and photographers, offering them an unforgettable glimpse into the uniqueness of Indonesia’s art and culture.
Beyond its role in drawing tourists to appreciate the cultural traditions of the Betawi community, ‘Ondel-Ondel’ – the giant-sized puppet – serves as an essential source of income for street performers in Jakarta.
The sight of Ondel-Ondel at popular tourist spots has also become an essential aspect that amplifies the unique and vibrant ambiance of Jakarta.
There are two versions of Ondel-Ondel: one depicting a male with a red face and a moustache, while the female counterpart showcases a bright face adorned with red lipstick, symbolising femininity.
The giant puppet, standing two metres tall, would move around the urban areas, enchanting onlookers with captivating performances and rhythmic dances set to music, all in a bid to win over the hearts of visitors who might offer a share of their good fortune.
For street entertainer Muhammad Yahya, 30, wearing a costume portraying the legendary figure that weighs 20 kilogrammes, has become part of his daily routine as he strives to make ends meet and provide for his child’s education.
The Betawi native also revealed that he personally crafts the costume using materials like bamboo, wire, plastic resin, fabric, and paint, which cost around one million rupiah (RM305).
“This costume is very heavy; it gets uncomfortably hot inside because it’s fully wrapped in fabric. I’ve endured considerable shoulder pain from carrying its weight. Despite this, I’ve worn it for up to eight hours at a time, all to generate extra income to support my child’s education expenses.
“Usually, I make around 60,000 rupiah (RM18) a day; sometimes, we barely scrape together 30,000 rupiah (RM9). This is what we rely on to cover our daily expenses,” he said when met by Bernama around Jalan KH Wahid Hasyim, near here.
Muhammad Yahya said he would align his performance with the music playing from a minisized speaker mounted on the giant costume at key locations every day, accompanied by his nine-year-old son, Rafar.
He also recalled experiencing several accidents in the past when he was hit by vehicles from behind while wearing the costume, resulting in injuries.
“I’ve been hit so hard that I lost a toenail, sustained severe arm injuries, and ended up with a broken leg from being hit by a car. It’s really distressing when incidents like these happen because it prevents me from going out and making a living.
“But what really hits me hard is when it rains and thunders. Seeing my child soaked through brings tears to my eyes that only Allah knows. Despite the hardships, we persist in order to earn a living,” said Muhammad Yahya, who has been making ends meet wearing the Ondel-Ondel costume for over nine years.
Typically, Ondel-Ondel comes with its own embellishments, such as a ‘bunga manggar’ as a headdress and a small opening on the costume’s chest to provide visibility for the wearer.