Ice-lolly nostalgia in Yogyakarta

Thu, September 5, 2019 / 01:58 pm

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Jumiyo prepares a thermos flask to store the ice lollies on his onthel. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
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Jumiyo takes ice lollies in various shapes and flavors from his fridge. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
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Jumiyo counts the ice lollies before putting them into the six flasks to be sold later on. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
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Usually before 3 p.m., Jumiyo is ready to pedal his onthel to the city center in Yogyakarta. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
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Along his route he passes villages, selling his old-style ice lollies to kids who are playing in the afternoon. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
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Around 6:30 p.m., Jumiyo arrives at Yogyakarta's Alun-alun Selatan, which is already filled with various attractions. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
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Jumiyo hails customers at Alun-alun Selatan by blowing a custom trumpet. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
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Jumiyo starts to walk around Alun-alun Selatan. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
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In addition to the trumpet, Jumiyo summons business by ringing a bell. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
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A sign is hung on either side of the zinc-plated box filled with six thermos flasks full of old-style ice lollies. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
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Customers buy the ice lollies. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
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Jumiyo uses a flashlight amid the darkness of Alun-alun Selatan. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
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The old-style ice lollies sell for only Rp 2,000. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko
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A little girl looks forward to enjoying one of Jumiyo's old-style ice lollies. JP/Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko

Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko

"Sore, sore padang bulan. Ayo konco, podo dolanan. Rene-rene bebarengan. Rame-rame e do gegojegan. Kae-kae rembulane. Yen disawang kok ngawe-awe. Koyo-koyo ngelingake. Konco kabeh ojo turu sore-sore”.

This traditional song played melodiously on the MP3 player belonging to Jumiyo, 63. It accompanied his rest after the long journey he had made from Pandak district, Bantul regency, to Yogyakarta's Alun-alun Selatan (south town square) on an onthel (roaster bicycle) since 3 p.m.

Affectionately known as Mbah Jadul (Old Timer), Jumiyo sells old-fashioned ice lollies to children as well as their parents. On his onthel, there is a zinc-plated box that stores six flasks filled with his frozen treats. A blue and white sign hangs from the side. He whips up trade on a custom trumpet and with a hand bell.

Mbah Jadul can be found strolling around Alun-alun Selatan from dusk until late at night. Usually he will approach a crowd to offer them ice lollies in various flavors and priced at Rp 2,000 (less than 50 US cents).

When his legs start to get tired after walking around, he will lean his onthel against a post and take out some of the shredded tobacco that he carries everywhere with him and start rolling it.

The day ends with a smoke while enjoying the songs on his MP3 player in the middle of the evening atmosphere in Yogyakarta's Alun-alun Selatan [kes].