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After the tsunami, the free for all

International agencies need to take the time to understand local groups

Acehnese voices

As reconstruction moves into high gear, it’s time to listen to tsunami victims

Semsar Siahaan (1952-2005)

An outsider to all establishments, even artistic ones, Semsar Siahaan is yet to be accorded his rightful place among the ranks of great Indonesian artists

Mochtar Lubis

Always controversial, Mochtar Lubis was one of Indonesia’s most respected journalists and best-known authors for over four decades.

Uniform jilbab

The Islamic headscarf is now compulsory in many high schools

Polygamy and chickens

This man’s message is simple — four wives are better for business than one

Bloodied but unbowed

Golkar still dominates Indonesian politics

Writing back

Local theatre in Makassar reveals a backlash against Java-centrism

Film revolution?

Women are now on both sides of the camera

Subversive ‘underground’ voices in Indonesian rap Michael Bodden It’s Jakarta, June 2004 and the boom box is playing a hip-hop beat. It’s a far cry from the meditative gamelan music, saccharine love songs or even the sensual dangdut one expects to hear in Java. The rapper is Xaqhala and he spins a gritty, rhythmic poem of everyday youth experience.

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Lontar Modern Indonesia

A selection of stories from the Indonesian classics and modern writers, periodically published free for Inside Indonesia readers, courtesy of Lontar.