The next day (Saturday, January 16) we go to Mangur in Padang Sago sub-district. We arrive to a field where there are big white Save the Children tents, created as safe places for the children to play and study. Further away by the field, there are smaller tents where people are living. We had been here the other day to preview the site, and I met two girls named Riri and Elsie. When we're here now, they run up to me, and luckily I remember their names, so I shout out: "Hey, Riri! Hi, Elsie!" and they give me five. The kids arrive in a bunch and look at us as we're setting up. "Salamat pagi" (good morning) I say and smile, and direct them towards the area of the lawn where they'll be sitting. No fingers today (phew) -- that is, when we visited the other day, some of the kids gave us the finger! Especially this one little boy, very mischievous. And he shouts out "F-k you!" gleefully. Of course, they do it even more when they see my reaction. But they really have no idea what they're doing -- they've just seen foreigners do that, probably in a movie at some point, and think it must be cool. Dedi spoke with them and told them it was actually not a nice thing to do. So they didn't do it this time. He taught them a different finger-pose they can do instead -- the heavy metal one. (That one and the v-sign are really popular here, the kids always do them for photos.) The little boy is there again and looks at me smiling impishly.
The kids are really lovely. So excited, so engaged, so eager to play. They sing even louder than the kids yesterday when Dedi plays his song, and at the end they unabashedly storm the stage to dance with us.
In the afternoon, we visit Kampung Pinang in Nan Sabaris. Here there is also a great field next to the ruins of a big brick house. There is no shade anywhere, so we perform in the tent rolling up the walls for some airflow. The show is getting better, as we start to get into the groove of performing it. We’re starting to play off each other more, and play with things that spontaneously happen in the moment. The kids laugh a lot – so great to hear! As a start, Dan sweeps the stage and then sweeps the kids, chasing one of them. The kids go wild whenever we go into the audience. He and Dedi give out clown noses to all the children (as I hide for my "tourist looking for Bali" entrance-- but I wish I could give out noses, too!) They bring up a brave little soul onto stage and put a nose on him. Everybody erupts in wild laughter, and then scramble to get their own nose. It's so fun to see all the kids in the audience wearing a clown nose as they watch the show! We started off with about 70 kids or so, but as the show went along more came and joined because when we did the workshop afterwards we were suddenly faced with upwards of 200 kids! We divided into two groups, one for clown movement with me and one for spinning plates and devil sticks (or as they call them here: flower sticks) with Dan.
(Click on pictures for larger image)
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Sunday (January 17), we driver farther, an hour or more, up into the mountains, up and down winding roads through lush jungle landscape. Past steep ravines and over rivers. And terraced rice fields.
We arrive to a smaller Save tent by the side of the road, right next to a damaged mosque. The kids are already there. A Save the Children worker has already warmed them up with a game. I say hello and they excitedly respond -- they're ready to play! Awesome show today, the kids really get into it, and as I mentioned yesterday, it's so much fun to hear them laughing and see their joyful faces!
For my workshop, I go up the road into a field, and Dan stays in the tent. After 20 mins, we switch groups. The kids are totally game to play and we do fun(ny) movement together. It's difficult, however, to get them to do anything individually, to come up with something on their own. Let's say I do a movement and everyone repeats. Great, now you do a movement and we'll all repeat it. Forget it. Suddenly they turn shy and embarrassed. Even the boys. This is interesting. And challenging. These kids are much shier than other kids I've worked with (in Cambodia, for example). This goes for all the workshops here. So I switch gears and we do more stuff in group form. For these workshops, where we only get together one time, the focus is not so much on a developmental process, but simply to play and have fun, get the kids engaged and laughing!
The kids here in Indonesia stare at me like I'm a space alien. Now, I realize these kids may not often see Westerners, if ever, but still! It's like they're in shock and awe. Some back away when I approach, as if scared. Not really scared, but I guess they're keeping a a healthy distance from the alien. You never know... Even after they've laughed and had fun with me in our show. So I stay put and let them come to me. Then they come closer. Looking at me curiously. I am definitely a spectacle.
And they want to take pictures with me with their cell phones. Funny that -- some of them have cell phones with cameras when they barely have livable housing conditions. I changed costume in a neighborhood house, to give you an idea: rudimentary structure with bare cement walls and floor, a thin hard bed in a very tiny side-bedroom, not much of decoration--what we would consider poor and rather primitive, especially the toilet facility. Some have no sewage system or electricity. But many do have a cell phone.
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In the afternoon of our last day here, we visit a madrasah in Pariaman. Post-9/11, "madrasah" has taken on the connotation to many in the U.S. of a jihadist terrorist training camp for kids. But really it simply means a Muslim religious school, and literally the word refers to a ‘place of learning.’ I certainly did not get a sense of any extremism, except for extreme happiness at our visit. Even the director of the school put on a clown nose! All the female students do wear ‘jilbabs,’ i.e., scarves that covers the hair and neck, and long skirts. These students were in their late teens. Certainly, their age and their clothing made it more of a challenge for them (and for me to get them) to goof around and do funny physical movements. Acting like a clown is definitely out of the ordinary in this environment. Nonetheless, they had great fun at the idea of it, and trying it out a little bit. One girl in particular (I can’t remember her name: Eya?) was really into it, a natural clown. And everyone loves the clown noses! When the girls weren’t put on the spot, they spontaneously engaged in a game of silly dancing. Spinning plates and playing with devil sticks definitely captures their attention and they gleefully give it a go.
Click on picture for larger image
All photos in this post Renny Antoni, except where noted "az."
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