Punks in developing countries


  • Photographer
    Pari Dukovic
  • Prize
    Honorable Mention
  • Date of Photograph
    Feb 2013
  • Technical Info
    Shot on Kodak and Fuji Film

Punk in nineteen-seventies New York tended to be more concerned with aesthetics than with politics. Decades later, a punk diaspora thrives around the world. I documented the punk scenes in Myanmar and Indonesia for a portfolio commissions for The New Yorker.In Myanmar, the punk community that stayed underground through decades of military rule is just beginning to emerge. Until last October in Myanmar, bands had to submit their lyrics to government censors before they performed in public or released an album. In Indonesia, the punk community has grown really fast since the military government stepped down from the Suharto period.

Story

Punk in nineteen-seventies New York tended to be more concerned with aesthetics than with politics. It was spare, nervy music created in reaction to the embarrassing excesses of arena rock. Often, the "establishment" it railed against was your mom, or your school principal. (The final scene of the Ramones' movie "Rock 'n' Roll High School" is Vince Lombardi High exploding in flames.) Decades later, a punk diaspora thrives around the world.

I documented the punk scenes in Myanmar and Indonesia focusing on their community aspect and their mission.

In Myanmar, the punk community that stayed underground through decades of military rule is just beginning to emerge. Until last October in Myanmar, bands had to submit their lyrics to government censors before they performed in public or released an album. Bands such as Culture Shock and No U Turn have been trying to send messages about issues they experience using their music. They have a very hard time finding any acceptance in the society or getting any jobs.

In Indonesia, the punk community has grown really fast since the military government stepped down from the Suharto period. Marjinal, which is the most famous punk band in Indonesia has put a lot of effort in making music that sends messages against the corruption in the government and many other issues. They are based in Jakarta and also support Masberto which is another major punk community in Jakarta. Their mission is to offer punk kids with a place to stay, eat and stay out of trouble. Marjinal was named after Marsinah who was a worker activist at an Indonesian company. Her rape and murder drew international attention to the practices of the Suharto dictatorship and the suppression of workers. The band named their group after her and their birthday is Mothers day as Marsinah is considered as the mother of the Indonesian people.

In north of Indonesia, Aceh the situations is even more difficult. The Sharia law makes it very difficult for punk communities to find any acceptance in their society hence they can’t share their music. I was able to meet some of the punk community members in Aceh who were part of the arrest in December 2011. The community had permission to put on a punk concert however although they had all the paperwork the concert was raided by the Sharia police, social police and regular police. There were 64 kids that were arrested and taken to the river to shave their heads and wash them since the local authorities believed they needed the cleansing of the body and mind from the punk ideology.

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