Wobbling on the Sidewalk, Tattered in the Asphalt Rain
At an intersection near Pasar Senen, two ondel-ondel wobble. Standing three meters tall, but their aura is faded—facial paint peeling, dull kebaya, cracked crowns. Rojak (45), one of the carriers, wipes his sweat. "Since the pandemic, we haven't changed costumes. Now, our performance fee is just enough for a rice box," he says. This scene is not an exception. The Betawi icon that once adorned weddings and festivals now often stands at red lights, holding plastic boxes.
But hope is beginning to sprout. The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, through the Tourism and Creative Economy Office, launched a major project: 500 ondel-ondel will be renovated by top designers. "This is not just a renovation. It's a renaissance—bringing back ondel-ondel as cultural ambassadors, not street beggars," said Andi Permana, Head of the Office, during a press conference at Balai Kota, on Wednesday (15/1).
From Anne Avantie to Cinta Laura: Designers Who Chose Bamboo
The list of participating designers is not ordinary names. There is Anne Avantie—the master of kebaya—who chose the megamendung motif with recycled silk layers. There is Didiet Maulana, who emphasized functionality: every stitch must withstand shaking, every pleat must facilitate movement. And there is Cinta Laura Kiehl, who advocated the *lightweight heritage* principle: reducing weight without sacrificing grandeur.
They joined a group of 20 designers, each assigned 25 ondel-ondel. The main theme: "Jakarta: Glokal-Santun"—a blend of tambal batik, Betawi gold thread embroidery, and contemporary silhouettes. "I want the audience to say, 'Wow, that's an ondel-ondel, but it's so stylish?' But it can still dance for two hours without collapsing," said Anne.
The process will begin in March 2025 at Sanggar Bambu Betawi, East Jakarta. There, 100 local artisans will work together—tailors, accessory makers, bamboo painters, even doll ventilation experts. Total budget: Rp 7.5 billion, sourced from APBD and private support. "This is real employment. Not just about clothing, but also about measurable job opportunities," stated Andi.
When Giant Dolls Became Victims of Time
Ondel-ondel are not toys. They are UNESCO Intangible Heritage since 2015—giant dolls made of bamboo weaving that once served as village guardians, wedding escorts, and symbols of city pride.
However, since the 2000s, their popularity has declined. Cultural acculturation, tightened public performance permits, and social stigma have marginalized them. "Betawi children today are ashamed to call ondel-ondel part of their identity. They know TikTok more than lenong dance," lamented cultural expert Yahya Andi Saputra.
Data from the DKI Cultural Office shows: in 2023, only 1,200 active ondel-ondel were recorded in Jakarta—down 60% from 2010. Of that number, only 150 perform at official events. The rest: photo props in malls, or street performers at red lights.
"We want to reverse this narrative. Ondel-ondel are not cheap entertainment. They are living archives of Jakarta," said Andi.
Renovation That Doesn't Betray the Dancer's Body
Renovating ondel-ondel is not about stickers. The design team conducted ergonomic research for three months. An adult ondel-ondel weighs up to 50 kg—equivalent to two adults. Therefore, the shoulder supports were redesigned to evenly distribute pressure. Ventilation was added to the chest and back. Anti-fog glass was installed in the eyes.
Materials were also carefully selected: jati and turmeric-based paint, recycled woven fabric from garment waste, and renewable bamboo from Bogor. Each ondel-ondel also has a unique identity—name, serial number, and story behind the motif. One is named *Si Jago*, themed Pasar Baru with basket motifs and patchwork cloth. Another is *Emas Monas*, covered in recycled gold powder and pillar ornament motifs.
"This is not just a new doll. It's an ecosystem: designers, tailors, souvenir traders, even art teachers who will teach children how to make miniature ondel-ondel from used cardboard," explained Didiet.
Glamorous Ondel-Ondel, and Lighter Hopes
The Jakarta Betawi Ondel-Ondel Community (OOBJ) has already prepared its premiere: the "Glamorous Ondel-Ondel" festival in August 2025 at Taman Ismail Marzuki. All 500 dolls will appear together—not in a static formation, but in a 25-minute grand dance performance.
Meanwhile, on the roadside, Rojak opens his phone. He shows the news to his friend. "If my ondel-ondel is renovated by Anne Avantie, the fee might increase to Rp 500,000. My child could buy new school shoes," he says, smiling.
For Jakarta, this project is not just about aesthetics. It is an effort to restore cultural pulse amidst concrete and speed. When ondel-ondel with modern songket-embroidered kebaya walk through Ancol or Monas, the city will once again hear: *Ondel-ondel ade ndel-ndel*—it is not a doll. It is the timeless soul of Betawi.