Her name is Ni Made Desa Perwani, or familiarly called Tutut, a Balinese woman who was born in the night before the full moon.  For @tutut_perwani, just like for many other married women in general, everyday is a busy day.  Waking up on 5 a.m, going to the market, cooking breakfast for her husband, children

Diah Saminarsih symbolizes hope. Her figure represents better versions of many things, especially about women. “I am the proof that the effort of ‘women helping women’ is possible,” Diah said.  The power of “women helping women”, she convinced, is not merely a jargon. Together with her mentor Nila Moeloek, former Health Minister, they blazed the

Being Indonesia, for me, is to look into ourselves, knowing our identity as an Indonesian, be it in terms of dishes, batik and woven clothes, nature, forests, and even its wounds as well.  We have so many traumas, but we were never engaged in a dialogue and never learned to understand what happened. Consequently, we

“It feels incredible to be able to help the works of humanitarian with genetics.” “Nduk, do not let yourself get disheveled and dull. Love the beauty of everything, love your house, love your environment and most importantly, love yourself.”    I always remember what my late grandfather Eyang Kasran Mohammad Doerjat told me. Loving yourself

Bali people, especially women, has never been separated from flowers. Yellow, red, white kamboja with special fragrance pouring the air. Janur or young coconut leaves, incense with sandalwood or cendana, bring all those flowers together in a solid orchestra. I asked Ni Made Desa Perwani, why Balinese are so attached with flowers? She told me

During my pregnancy, I always talk to this baby, “Dear, please, help your mother. Be a good kid. Be calm. Mommy has to work, darling.” I kept saying these just like a mantra, like a prayer. In July 2018, he was born. His name is Hans. He was only two months old when the earthquake

Misery, Loneliness, and Pain are Forever My Best Friends It was not easy to find an unruly character like Suksma Ratri. Her life journey is full of winding turns. But she is facing it all with a big smile. “And with Salsa too!” She took a trip down the memory lane, all the way back

By: Hartoyo Andangdjaya ⠀ 1973 All the strong women who carry the baskets amidst the darkest morning, Where do they all come from? To the station they come, from the villages by the hills Before the whistle of the train wakes up Before the day starts in a labour festival All the strong women who

THE WEAVER BIRD Would you like to learn from tempuo bird? Mamak (mother) Dahniar, 72 years of age, in Nagari Sumpur Kudus, Sijunjung District, West Sumatra, introduced this tempuo bird. “Look at the nest. It is woven neatly. The material is dry weeds.” The weaving process can take up to a week. Every day in

graduated from Muara Bungo Academy of Agriculture in Jambi. She went back to her village, Nagari Sumpur Kudus, a place tucked in the belt of Bukit Barisan mountain in West Sumatra. For three planting periods already, Uni (sister) Yuli developed organic farming together with the farmers in Sumpur Kudus. “I don’t own any rice fields,

Nur Asiyah Before I said yes to the offer as the Chief of Simpang Sari Sub-village, Pematang Rahim Village, Jambi in 2016, I already asked my husband’s permission and he said yes.  I have become very busy. Invitation to the neighbouring village, invitation to the District, to Jakarta, to other cities. I am basically cannot

Marwiyah, 40 years of age, is truly an innovative woman. She lives in Sungai Beras, the coastal side of Jambi, where the palm trees are lining up along the riverside. All this time, those trees and the fruits were wasted. Then, she heard the story about how people in the old days turned these palms

Midwife Maria Cristi, was born in Salatiga and has been a health facilitator in KKI Warsi for five years. This is not an easy task. The coverage area is large and challenging, which is coming to Orang Rimba who are scattered in Talang Mamak at Bukit Tiga Puluh and Bukit Dua Belas National Parks. As

For “Orang Rimba” (people who inhabit the jungle), a name is not something to be taken lightly. Only the elders are entitled to grant a name after “a consultation” with the Gods of The Jungle. This God’s given name is also poetic. On the first slide, the girl’s name is Mendelau, which means beckoning or

Good morning! I am so happy today. This morning, my teacher, Miss Juana put on a big smile. She took Nyeser and Besimbur, two of the Orang Rimba tribe’s children who continued their education to Air Panas Elementary School, outside Bukit Dua Belas National Park in Jambi. A few of Orang Rimba’s children who wanted

This is a story about a jenton (guy), Tarib and a betina (woman), Hatijah Senggul, a couple idolized by Orang Rimba. Their romance is truly sweet. In the late 80s, Tarib had a huge crush on Hatijah, flower of the jungle. According to the custom of Orang Rimba, the guy must carry out semando (become

That log cabin has lit up since 4 AM. “Come along, bebet, goding!” Bebet is a nickname for one gender (any gender), goding is for the opposite gender. Besidam, Mergo Bungo, Margo, Meruan, climb down. “It’s still dark. Can’t we wait till the sun is up?” Yohana Marpaung said. Bebudak (the children) did not care.

Grace Citra Dewi, 34 years of age, once did not believe God exists. “I am an atheist, or to be precisely speaking, I doubt God’s existence.” This Malang girl completed her high school in 2005. She continued to study Biochemistry in the University of California of Berkeley, di Amerika. In the middle of her education

She is only 23 years of age. Beautiful. Intelligent. One of the glistening junior facilitator in Tempo Institute. “I am not a confident person.” How come? Not sure why, but Alya grew up feeling far from being pretty. That is why she tried to “drown” herself socially. “I deliberately hang out with boys, because whenever

Four months ago, on April 1st, 2019 I braved myself to take a step. I resigned early from Tempo, an institution that has become my family and a part of my identity for the last 21 years. Many friends were asking, including my network from the Netherlands and Denmark, “Are you sure this is the

Farina Griffiths enjoys her life in Lyon, the second largest city in France. This beautiful city is not as crowded as Paris. A culinary adventure in Lyon is also fantastic. Restaurants provide cuisine prepared by passionate chefs and cooks. “Every menu is like a poem.” Lyon also has a very important thing for Farina, “The

“My uncle is missing in Poso.” Nurlaela Lamasitudju @nurlaelalamasitudju said. It was the year 2000, the tension between Moslem and Christian in Poso went steep. At least 500 lives were lost in this meaningless fiasco. Ella was working as an accountant at a car dealer, and was interested in learning about human rights, “I want

October 2nd, 2018 was the second day after the earthquake and tsunami in Palu. Our consciousness had not been fully recovered. “We were all still trembling,” Sisilia Labarohima said. She recalled talking to Nurlaela Lamasitudju (Ella). “Sissy, can you establish a soup kitchen? The volunteers need to eat too.” “Yes, Kak Ella. For how many

“I am a survivor,” Sisilia Labarohima said. You don’t mind sharing? “No. I know this will help other women to become stronger. Women who need support.” So the story from Sissy started. In 2000 she got married with a police officer – let’s just call him, Fulan. The sweet moments lasted only for two months.

Ethiopia was not a favourite post for diplomats. The area is challenging, with limited amenities and vulnerable to conflicts. “Electricity could be cut off up to three days,” Christine Refina Silalahi Sianipar, 39 years of age told her story. “Internet also could go out for two weeks every time there was a political tension. We

I was frustrated. Desperate. All methods that I applied to teach music was failed. Tanah Liat, my pupil, was so passive and unresponsive. I told his mother, Rahayu Trisni (Yayuk), I would like to resign. I didn’t feel right that after weeks of teaching Tanah, a Down Syndrome child, we were still stuck. Yayuk declined

Being women in Adonara, NTT, is not a simple matter. “Since such a young age, we were treated differently. I often envied my brother, whatever he asked, he would get it from our parents,” Susana Rawaborot, 39 years of age, said. There is a rebellion DNA streaming down her veins, Susana admitted it proudly. “Goe

The three of them are rice field workers in Nitiprayan “I started from my house in Bantul at 6 AM, using bicycle. Then, I went straight to planting until this afternoon.” Girah said. They offered me a cup of hot tea and gethuk, cassava cake. “Monggo, Mbak. Meniko panganan ndeso, mboten wonten teng Jakarta.” –

Rizka Nurul Amanah, 27 years of age. In the last three years, she has become a researcher and an activist to tackle terrorism. She would go on a roadshow to many cities and meet with terrorist inmates. “It is pointless if we only focus on the inmates, but ignore the integral community. The pressure to

The youngsters in Lawamara, Lembata. They dance the guest reception ceremony dance. Study well, dear… and stay happy! Some of them had the chance to learn English from Mira. Come and teach them again, Mira! Poking Susana.

At that time, I was in University, I got a scholarship from Victoria University, New Zealand in 2018. There was a rally by the farmers from Kendeng at the Presidential Palace. So sad. I love gardening, so needless to say I know a thing or two about how farmers are suffering due to failed harvest,

Prayers for Tanah I feel suffocated. I couldn’t breathe watching my son hit the drum set at the gallery, witnessed by many people. Ealah, Tanah, kowe iso, Le. You can do it. I am so proud. His performance in playing drum was amazing. He hit with power, his feet tap on the beat perfectly. Then

Flores, a land where brave and compassionate ina-ina live…. Petronela Peni (Slide 1 and 2), her husband was murdered 20 years ago. “Not because of tribal conflict, but because of personal issue. It’s okay,”she said bravely. All alone she raised her child while getting herself involved in PEKKA. “Tite (We) went around to villages, no

Maria Gabriela Rr Daryati, 83 years of age. Tirakat Ibu I grew up in a recession period. I was born in 1936, it was during the Japanese occupation time, clothes were made of gunny sack full of fleas. My father died when I was 7 years of age. Since then, lived with my relatives. Moved

Mbah (Grandma) Prawiro has a ritual that she follows dedicatedly. Morning, at 6 to 10 AM, she would go down the rice field dike in Nitiprayan, Bantul. “Griyo kulo celak mriki, my house is close by.” She would tend the weeds that grew wildly on the sides of the irrigation channel. Her old hands skillfully

⠀You have not been to Medan if you have not tried the coffee in Apek Coffee Shop, in front of Hindu market. A cup of coffee with milk or Tarik Tea, a toast with kaya, will warm your day. Plus, a warm welcome from the owner, Suyenti, 44 years of age. “Since I was a

“I wanted to become a doctor, but I ended in ITS,” Leonikasari explained during the discussion session in #Move4Women at Tempo Institute. In Senior High School, Leonika’s favourite subject was biology. Her grade never went lower than 90. “But my parents did not want me to be a doctor, they were afraid it would take me too

Tjandra Wibowo is her name. My tough friend. Seventeen years ago, when she reached her 30s, she decided to quit her job as a producer in a well-known TV station. “I want to fathom the video documenting world,” she said. She brushed aside all the fantastic figure of remuneration and to-die-for position offers. “I had

“I used to be a big fan of mini skirt, pantyhose, legging, boots, all kinds of fashion, I have tried on.” Then, five years ago, Kristin Samah wanted to experiment. “I wanted to look different. So, I wore kebaya.” To her surprise, her classy look, wrapped in kain kebaya had attracted positive responses. Many were

Note: No elephant was killed or harmed for this photo, guys. These ivories are the ancient collection that has been passed through from generation to generation. Dette, The Woman, and The Ivory. Dette Deram is clearly no ordinary woman. For me, Dette is a symbol of strength, bravery, and compassion. She grew up watching so

Feminism In Action Thank you to all ina-ina (ladies), for the friendship and sincere smile. It was an honour for me to meet you and experience the amazing sisterhood in Lembata, Adonara, Larantuka. Perempuan Kepala Keluarga (PEKKA) had mesmerized me. There are 1,500 members of PEKKA in NTT. They are all single women, widows by

Gustika Yusuf, 25 years of age, the granddaughter of Muhammad Hatta – the Proclaimer. She once became a trending topic due to her sharp criticism towards Dahniel Simanjuntak, Campaigner for Prabowo – Sandi, when he compared Sandiaga Uno to Hatta. “Obviously different. One is a corporate figure, the other is cooperatives figure. The values between

Anyone who ever visited Tempo Institute must be familiar with Etha Taihitu. Her bubbly personality made it easy for everyone to be friends with her. Her laughter is loud and free. A friend said that her laughter shakes the walls. Etha joined Tempo Institute since 2009, together with Ema Mayeaya. “I was so happy that

Let me introduce you to a cheerful person: Dinny Jusuf. In 1988, she was a brilliant banker who took the position as the Assistant of Vice President Citibank Indonesia. One day, Dinny decided to quit. Rani, her second daughter needed full attention. “She is a genius. She always pushes me beyond my limit.” Life opened

Chika Bagaskara, is the eldest daughter of Katon Bagaskara. She has reached a quarter of a century of age and has a lot of desires. “I am fickle, depend on what book I am reading,” she said. “If I am reading Kahlil Gibran, I could be like a poet. But if I am reading a

Citra Maudy, the student of Faculty of Social and Political Science of UGM, is a journalist from BPPM Balairung. On March 8th, we invited her to Tempo Institute office for #Move4Women #internationalwomensday event. I was so proud that afternoon to present the award of #Move4Women to Citra and Balairung. I was so thrilled to see

To me, she is like a phoenix that rises from the ashes. Grows stronger. She is Aradhana Putri. I was a dancer. My hobby is listening to music. In short, I had the youngsters’ style. After I finished SMEA (vocational school), I looked for a scholarship, sold cookies, cleaned houses, all to finance my diploma

“You have the power to end the harassment.” That is the motto on the page of Hollaback Jakarta, a platform that enables anyone to report any sexual harassment incidents. A movement that runs in 27 countries. It was started in New York three years ago. In Indonesia, the pioneer is Vivi or Anindya Restuviani, 28

For @chris_ronggo, 2015 is annus horribilis, a horrible year. After years spent in an unharmonious marriage, this former journalist finally pulled some strengths to file a divorce. “Due to the children’s pressure.” They are Lintang, Langit, and Sufi, her 15, 13 and 10 years of age children. Her husband insisted to stay together and created

Endah Palupi has a deep love for Javanese culture. One of the things is culinary. In Sanggrahan, Bantul, Yogyakarta, Endah opened “Toko Bothok Angkring”, a stall that specifically sells bothok, a Javanese delicacy wrapped in banana leaves. “There are 41 kinds of bothok in our stall.” She proudly said. What? FORTY-ONE? Yes. There is a

This is a story about two women from Adonara Island, Susan Rawaborot (from Redon Tena Village) and Petronela Masi Suban (from Adobala Village). Together, they seek for and walk on the peace path. Adonara and peace are unfortunately not always seeing each other eye to eye. People in the villages often fought each other, even

Juliana Prada, 64 years of age. Nine months ago, her husband passed away. According to the custom, she has to spend mourning time and is not allowed to work. “I am not allowed to do any weaving for the next 2 to 3 years.” The problem is, who will take care of Juliana and her

Lauren Hardie is indeed not an Indonesian woman, but she loves Indonesia to her bone. So, I will write her story here, together with other #PuanIndonesia. She traveled to Jakarta the first time in March 2010, 30 years of age that time, Lauren became a Yoga teacher in Kemang. She hardly knew anyone. One afternoon,

Dahlia Rera Oktasiani, 30 years of age. She is called, “The Queen of The Community”. She is a member of tens of communities, from the community of literation, traveler, runner, vegetarian, virtual reality enthusiast all the way to snake and reptile lover community. Once, Dahlia was invited to introduce snakes to Wanadri, a group of

Rosina Soik Taek, 80 years of age, is a wholesome love story. Rosina’s love for tais, woven fabric that known to have a lengthy production process (up to several weeks, even months). Her love is so deep that she offers her hands and legs to be tattooed with the pattern of the fabric. There is