Puppet Ban Impacts Jakarta Buskers
Jakarta Considers Ban on Ondel-Ondel Busking Amidst Cultural Preservation Debate
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jakarta is on the verge of banning the increasingly common practice of ondel-ondel busking, a move that has ignited a passionate debate between cultural preservationists adn those concerned about the livelihoods of performers.The city administration argues that roadside performances tarnish the dignity of the ondel-ondel,a cherished cultural icon of the native Betawi people,while many performers see it as a vital source of income in challenging economic times.
A Cultural Icon Under Pressure
Ondel-ondel, large, colorful puppets traditionally used in festive and celebratory events like weddings and welcome ceremonies, are the pride of Jakarta’s Betawi heritage. Historically, these performances were accompanied by live traditional music, enhancing their cultural importance.
Though,over time,ondel-ondel have been increasingly adopted by buskers.These performers sway the puppets to music played from loudspeakers, soliciting money from passersby at traffic lights, on roadsides, and in the bustling alleyways of Jakarta’s densely populated neighborhoods.
The Economic reality for Buskers
For many, like Adi, a seven-year busker who only completed elementary school, ondel-ondel performance is a critical means of survival. On a good day,he can earn around $7,enough to support his wife and five-year-old daughter. “The ondel-ondel is heavy; it is indeed very hot inside,” Adi shared with AFP. ”But I do it anyway because if I don’t, my wife and my kid won’t be able to eat.”
The economic backdrop to this debate is stark. Government data indicates a rise in poverty in metropolitan Jakarta, a megalopolis of 11 million people. The number of individuals living below the poverty line increased from 362,000 in 2019 to 449,000 as of September 2024. The Central Statistics Bureau reports that the poverty line in Indonesia in 2025 is just over one dollar a day, highlighting the precarious financial situation for many residents.
The City’s Stance: Preserving Dignity
The city administration has long expressed a desire to ban ondel-ondel busking, believing the practice degrades the cultural icon. Cyril Raoul Hakim, spokesman for Jakarta governor Pramono Anung, told AFP that the ban is still being drafted with “the preservation of Betawi culture” as a primary objective and will soon be presented to legislators. “We hope it will be passed not too long from now,” he added.
Bureaucrats contend that roadside busking diminishes the puppets’ inherent cultural significance. The head of Jakarta’s public order agency, Satriadi Gunawan, stated that ondel-ondel busking disturbs road users with loudspeakers and direct requests for money. “In Betawi culture,upholding ondel-ondel’s dignity is critically important,and now it is indeed frequently enough used to beg for money,” Gunawan explained.
Voices of Concern and Disagreement
The proposed ban has created a dilemma for authentic ondel-ondel performers and makers, who find themselves torn between preserving their cultural heritage and acknowledging the plight of the buskers.
Fadillah Akbar, a 33-year-old ondel-ondel artist, believes the cultural symbol must be revered and not used for begging. ”The problem is that thay beg on the street – that’s a disturbance, and it bothers my soul,” he stated. Akbar advocates for ondel-ondel to be performed in traditional pairs – a male and female puppet – accompanied by live traditional music, rather than recorded songs.”Of course, I feel bad for the buskers, especially as I know many of them, but it is indeed a cultural icon whose dignity must be upheld,” he emphasized.
However, some historians argue that restricting ondel-ondel’s presence on Jakarta’s streets could inadvertently harm efforts to keep the dwindling tradition alive. jakarta-based historian JJ Rizal commented, “Banning ondel-ondel busking in the name of culture signifies their lack of understanding for tradition.” He further warned, “it proves that not only does the city government not understand culture, but it also endangers the preservation of art.”
The debate underscores the complex interplay between cultural heritage, economic necessity, and the evolving urban landscape of Jakarta. As the city administration moves forward with drafting the ban, the future of ondel-ondel busking, and its impact on both cultural identity and the livelihoods of performers, remains a critical point of discussion.