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The 'ngab' era: Indonesia’s 'bro culture' aims for manliness without toxicity
As masculinity grows to redefine itself for a more progressive era, male-oriented influencers try to assert their influence in positive ways – but it's not easy.
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Arian Arifin (L) sings in front of a lively crowd at a Seringai show. The singer and Lawless Jakarta co-owner said that despite his many achievements, people still occasionally badmouthed him for not being masculine enough. (Facebook/Rigel Haryanto)
A
s masculinity grows to redefine itself for a more progressive era, male-oriented influencers try to assert their influence in positive ways.
Most people who have lived in Jakarta will likely have encountered the term "ngab" – a slang word used to address friends, functioning similarly to “bro” or “mate”.
Typical of hip Jakartan slang, the word is a backward pronunciation of the word “bang”. “Bang” itself derives from the word “abang”, a reference to any older male but literally meaning “older brother”.
Although there is no fixed definition of "ngab culture”, the term has increasingly been used to refer to men who partake in a particularly masculine subculture.
Just like bro culture, ngab culture is also smeared with toxic masculinity, a unique obstacle that is sometimes only seen by females with similar interests as the men, trying to fit in within the scene. However, unlike the problem of breaking-the-glass-ceiling in the professional environment that is already widely talked about, ngab culture and how it affects the women in the scene is still treated as an elephant in the room.
Entering ngab territory
Arian Arifin, better known as Arian 13, singer of metal band Seringai and co-owner of the multiplatform lifestyle enterprise Lawless Jakarta, fits all the stereotypes of a ngab thought leader, but he rejects being defined as one in a derogatory way.
