Job Discussion Forums

[mgafunnell]

i know that indo. is a rather muslim county, but what's the deal with the transvestites there? i could care less either way, i just don't understand how a conservative muslim society would accept such a thing.

[malu]

It depends which conservative Muslim elements you are referring to. The arabized wahabi types loathe and abhor the waria (male-female transvestites) and cheerfully throw rocks at them. If they ever got their wish of a taliban style Islamic state then the waria would be among the first to die horribly.

The more traditionally Indonesian conservative Muslims wouldn't want their son to grow up like that but they sort of accept that there have always been waria in society just as there have always been sunrises in the morning. Mixed up in traditional Indonesian Islam is a lot of 'adat' or pre-islamic moral codes and belief systems. Transvestites or transexuals have a long history as part of those societies so although the idea of transvestites might be viewed as not very islamic, it is tolerated as a fact of life.

[tanyakenapa]

Some even adore them... there is a very famous one.. called Dorce.. she even has her own talk show.

Some women even prefer to go to these waria who own and run hair salons, apparently they do a better job than the regular women hairdressers.

I remember one night, about a year or two ago now.. we went for a drive along the Taman Lawang road and there was one walking along without a skirt on.. you could see everything

Another time, we took a wrong turn and went down a side street. One actually jumped out in front of the car and started dancing and singing using the front of the car as drums and wouldnt let us pass until we gave some money.... (sometimes they'll damage your car if you refuse). At the same time her friends on the side of the road starting heading towards the car also.....

My husband (still boyfriend) at the time, pointed to me as to say.. he's not interested in her, and she shouted out.. that I could join in!!!

Eventually we slowly reversed the car and sped off! We've never taken a drive down that way again after midnight!!

[Atoms for Peace]

[ESL Hobo]

Excellent answer by Malu.

In Bandung the "Banci area" was in the 80's seen as a tourist attraction.

[Jati]

In Malaysia they're called pondan and are common. You can see them hanging around outside pubs and restaurants at night. One worked at the local branch of HSBC, and it was quite obvious that he was taking female hormone pills. *beep* pushing out his shirt, long eyelashes, sing-song voice, adam's apple...oooops!

As Malu said, there is Islam and there is adat. When the two do not conflict, then everything goes well. When there is a conflict, the hyper-religious will follow Islam, but the majority, especially the women, will follow adat. This seemingly relaxed acceptance of contradiction is what makes SE Asia sooooo very different from the west, and the Middle East.

[Mr_Magoo]

[jaganath69]

Dunno about you guys, but I have just seen one of the ugliest ones ever in a KTV in Tanjung Pinang last week. Imagine a pudgy, Chinese-looking bloke in deck shoes, shorts and a polo shirt with a died orange bob cut. I asked other punters there what kind of creation he/she/it was and they replied "banci Medan".

[guruengerish]

Hookers
Drugs
Niteclubs
Stripclubs
Gambling
Corruption
Beer
Pornography

How can a conservative society accept such a thing.


Surely a spot of korupsi might just have something to do with it. I'd be amazed if all the managers of the above-mentioned establishments are not forking out large amounts to keep things running in this 'conservative' society.

[jaganath69]

Be warned, there is one on Jl. Jaksa who likes to get her old fellow out when in a certain licensed establishment. That or give hand jobs to a certain old Indian chap when he is sitting in the corner.

[Mr_Magoo]