Vanishing Shadows: Traditional Professions Facing Extinction in the Modern Era
In the rapidly changing landscape of Indonesia, a handful of traditional occupations are quietly fading away. Some are deemed outdated, while others are regarded as having "no future." One thing is certain: most of these jobs are disappearing because they cannot compete with the relentless advancement of technology, which has fundamentally shifted human behavior.
Here are their stories—a tribute to the legends of the street.
The Becak: An eco-friendly transport fighting for space in a motorized world.
1. The Becak (Tricycle) Driver
Once the favorite mode of transport for enjoying the city breeze, the becak is now a rare sight. Parents used to trust regular drivers to pick up their children from school. Today, the younger generation prefers being an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver. It's not just about the physical toll; the image of a becak driver is no longer considered "cool," leading to a lack of regeneration as the veteran drivers grow too old to pedal.
2. The Postman: From Thrills to Invoices
3. The Weight Scale-Man
Under the burning sun, he would walk the neighborhood yelling "Weight scale!" For a mere Rp 500 to Rp 1,000, he provided a simple service. But with digital scales becoming affordable for every household and malls offering high-tech body analyzers, this humble profession has been put to rest, forcing many to become scavengers just to survive.
4. Tukang Sayur (Mobile Vegetable Seller)
The familiar call of the vegetable seller was once the morning "alarm" for housewives. It was a social hub where neighborhood gossip spread alongside fresh produce. Now, technology has digitized the cart. Customers simply send an SMS or a WhatsApp message, and a courier delivers the groceries right to their door.
5. Photo Reproduction Kiosks
Before the digital age, printing a photo meant waiting up to four days. Kiosks with petrol lanterns (pertomaks) for lighting were popular near universities, offering quick and cheap conventional prints. Today, home printers and instant digital labs have rendered these flickering kiosks a memory of the past.
6. The Farmer: A Greying Profession
Indonesia is a fertile land, yet the farmer’s job is becoming marginalized. Narrowing fields, unstable income, and a lack of governmental support have driven the youth to the cities. Farming is now left to the older generation, their skin etched by years of sunlight, as the love for the hometown soil becomes a rarity.
7. Domestic Helpers and Mobile Barbers
As modern society relies more on smart home technology and "one-touch" appliances, the traditional role of the housemaid is evolving or being replaced by robots. Similarly, the DPR Barber (Di bawah Pohon Rindang—under the shade of trees) is losing to air-conditioned barbershops that offer style and comfort for a similar price.
8. Horse-Drawn Carriage (Dokar) Drivers
Once a primary form of transportation, the horse-drawn carriage has been pushed to the margins by fossil-fuel vehicles. Today, they are mostly found in tourist areas like Bali or Yogyakarta, struggling to find a space on roads dominated by cars and motorcycles.
Read: Batik: The Unique Soul of Indonesian Heritage
These professions are the witnesses of a time when life moved slower. As we embrace the future, let us not forget the hands that once shaped our daily lives.
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