Onthel (Vintage Bicycle)
In Jogjakarta, Indonesia, students made a video about how technology is changing daily life, and whoand what progress is leaving behind as part of Asia Society's Creative Voices of Islam project. They were assisted by two youth media organizations: Appalshop (US) and Kampung Halaman (Indonesia).
This video was made by students at Public High Schools 1, 3, and 8 in Jogjakarta, Indonesia to share with students in Asia Society's International Studies Schools Network in Charlotte, North Carolina and Mathis, Texas. After you watch the video, read what the students thought and post your own comments!
Responses to "Onthel (Vintage Bicycle"
Creative Voices of Islam is a three-year initiative implemented by Asia Society with support from the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art. The goal of this initiative is to foster an increased understanding of the diversity of experience and voices within the multicultural societies of contemporary United States and Asia. The initiative includes a series of exhibitions, cultural events, and public programs at Asia Society’s headquarters in New York City, as well as a youth media exchange between high schools in the U.S. and Muslim countries in Asia.
March 11th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
The idea of this movie is so great. I really love the pictures there. ‘Onthel’ – the vintage bike is one of Jogjakarta’s identities which is almost left by the people of Jogjakarta. Most people prefer motorcycle rather than riding this bicycle. By preferring motorcycle rather than onthel, the impact is not only the ‘onthel’ is almost extinct, but this condition also causes global warming. This movie is so rich of messages to us, young generation, to be more considering our environment and our tradition and heritage. (Rifky)
March 11th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Right now, onthel bike is becoming popular again, not just in Jogjakarta, but also in Jakarta. Back to the nature’s life is the main reason for some people to buy this kind of bicycle. Not only for personal using, but also for collecting antique things.
In Jogjakarta, there are some Onthel bikers club. They have weekly meeting in center of Jogjakarta City, sharing experience about the Bikes, exchange bike’s equipments and making touring schedule. Unfortenately, there is only small number of youth as the member. I wonder why. (Lila)
March 11th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
This production made me proud of the old man in the story because not many people think like what he thinks. I think the old man is being wise for caring more about himself than the motorcycle. He rather has his stomach full than having the fuel in motorcycle. Nowadays, people much rather being cool than caring about the situation around them. This production reminds me of myself, I prefer using motorcycle or car than bicycle. But after seeing this production, I was encouraged to use bicycle. This production made me realize of how important it is to take care of the environment and the beauty of the city.
(Anisa)
March 12th, 2009 at 9:08 am
I think it is interesting because bicycle in interesting for me. But why do people underestimate bicycle? In the past time, in Java, people rode onthel to go everywhere. No pollution, fresh air. Onthel is one of old tradition in Jogja that almost disappear now. My mother once told me that she used to ride an onthel in the past time. This film also reminds me of my childhood when I was still in primary school. Riding onthel makes us healthy. It is also cheap. Onthel has been replaced by motorbike or cars. Onthel is one of ways to keep our environment clean from pollution. We can stop global warming from now with Onthel. (bagus)
March 12th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Bagus, as you said, Onthel is one of ways to keep our environment clean from pollution. We can stop global warming from now with Onthel. What are you riding now in the daily time? Do you ride Onthel? If not, why? Lila
March 17th, 2009 at 8:13 am
I think that it is inspiring that others are looking at their behaviors as having an effect on global issues. Often, people here do not make little changes as they do not think that the behavior will have an impact on the world- yet if every person made just one little change, it would add up to a world-altering effect! ~Elizabeth
March 25th, 2009 at 4:21 am
i really watching this. here in charlotte, people lack the time to experience the small pleasures like bicycle riding. i love my own vintage bike. sometimes the simpler things in life are the best.
March 25th, 2009 at 4:23 am
Bagus, Hi my name is chris, i was wondering if global warming is such a big problem what are you in your community doing and what is your country doing.
March 25th, 2009 at 4:27 am
I really enjoyed this viedo. It really showed how today we lose touch with our old traditions and ways of life. Just because new and improved things come along we all feel we need to strive to have the new “best” things. Really all we need in our lives is what makes us happy, material things will never bring happiness. The person in the viedo loved his bike regardless of the “new and improved” things that came out and stayed true to his old ways. I think we should all come to the realization that material things are not everything, happiness and our own well being should always come first. -Taylor
March 25th, 2009 at 4:31 am
I totally agree with rifky. I think the movie was excellent. It really shows that no matter what country you come from, everything changes over time. It compares the modern to the old times… makes you think how similar everyone thinks and reacts to change. -Stanielle=)
March 25th, 2009 at 4:33 am
I agree with you Rifky. If we stop using something for a long period of time it will be forgotten. The bike is better for the environment, like you said. Cars, truks, and motorcycles put a lot of pollutants into the air. They cernitly don’t help with global warming. The bike wouldn’t put any pollutants into the air, also you don’t need to put gas in a bike. I also agree that it’s up to our generation to stop global warming before it gets worse. The planet needs more kids like you who realize how bad global warming is. -Monica
March 27th, 2009 at 6:03 am
Rifky, thanks for explaining the video a little better. I like the approach that was taken to show how tradition is slowly disappearing from new aged technology. This was a unique way to make us understand that life can change so drastically without us even seeing the change as a problem. This video pointed out that life is changing and we do not try to preserve are old ways. For example, small things such as text messaging change how we communicate with others, impairing our ability to be able to verbally communicate with others. This will be a crutch for our generation. So maybe this will teach others that we should learn to maintain some traditions. -Chereka
March 27th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Chereka, I agree with you. But now, in Jogja, especially in the central of the city, youth prefer riding motorbike or car rather than bike. Like I said above, there are some bike club in Jogja, but the members mostly is adult. I really wonder why? Because, i think, youth can be a pioneer to another youth. What do you think? (Lila)
March 31st, 2009 at 4:23 am
Thanks for the question Lila. I think that the newer generations want to modernize their lifestyle. People are so stuck on finding easier ways to transport themselves rather then working to get where they are going that they end up loosing the older methods. I understand the need to make a more efficient way to get to places but I do not feel older methods such riding bikes are not obsolete. Sometimes I feel that older methods are better, personally I love riding bikes in my spare time but I can admit going on motorcycles is a fun experience as well. Lila, what are some other traditional methods that you feel is changing? -Chereka
April 1st, 2009 at 12:03 pm
It is better than walking. Every now and then i have to walk home. And on hot days its not nice. But i liked it cause it showed me about your culture and its nice to know that their are people that like to use bikes. And it will keep you in shape. (Kevin)
April 1st, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I really enjoy this video because it in a way shows alot about your culture. Riding bikes are fun and a great way to save money, it may take alot more energy but when you think about the environment it is a very good and helpful idea. Bikes are more compact than cars and motorcycles so you can get around alot easier and quicker I think. You also don’t have to worry about running out of gas, which is pre cool(: Marissa S.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:09 am
I think that it’s important for people to remember their old traditions and where they came from. Thats one problem we have here in America. people come to this country and forget who they really are. thats why this video was my favorite. Carl
April 16th, 2009 at 6:23 am
It’s a nice video that you have made. Actually, Salita’s uncle is one of the member of the vintage bike community. Every Sunday, her uncle and the other people from the community travel around the city by vintage bike. We’re impressed with their spirit to keep the tradition survive in the globalization era. One thing that stuck in our heads is why there’s only few teenagers who uses the vintage bike as a transportation? Riding bike is fun and of course it will help to reduce the global warming. So, we hope that this video can open our eyes that keeping one of our old tradition is a good thing to do. Great job guys! -Nastya and Salita