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In Jakarta, to make ends meet, some people have chosen to paint themselves silver, seeking donations from passing motorists.
May 13, 2025, 12:41 PM ET
Yasuyoshi Chiba, a photojournalist with AFP, recently spent a rainy day in Jakarta with three men who had coated themselves in metallic paint, becoming “manusia silver,” or silvermen, seeking donations from passersby. Rising prices and growing levels of unemployment have resulted in a recent rise in begging across Jakarta. The group followed here say that on a good day, they can earn as much as 200,000 rupiah ($12). After that, they return home, scrub off the irritating paint, and start again the next day.
Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty
This photo taken on April 1, 2025, shows street performer Ari Munandar, with his body painted silver, posing for tips in the rain at an intersection in Jakarta.
Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty
Ari Munandar prepares silver paint to apply to his body on April 7, 2025, in Jakarta.
Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty
Street performer Keris Munandar paints his body silver before leaving.
Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty
Keris Munandar, his brother Ari Munandar, and their neighbor Riyan Ahmad Fazriyansah walk to the main road to hitch a ride on April 7, 2025.
Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty
Ari Munandar, Riyan Ahmad Fazriyansah, and Keris Munandar hitch a ride on the back of a container truck to reach an intersection in Jakarta.
Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty
Ari Munandar, covered in silver paint, crosses a road in Jakarta. Ari admitted to embarrassment and said he was ashamed of making money this way, and that he was hoping for a better job soon, and a better future for his daughter.
Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty
Keris Munandar poses for tips in the rain at an intersection as cars stop at a traffic light in Jakarta on April 1, 2025.
Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty
Ari Munandar holds out a bucket to receive a tip.
Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty
Ari Munandar reacts as some of the silver paint gets into his eyes while he waits for the traffic light to turn red before performing.
Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty
This photo shows the street performers Riyan Ahmad Fazriyansah, Ari Munandar, and Keris Munandar posing after their performance at an intersection in Jakarta on April 1, 2025.
Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty
Ari Munandar receives a tip in the rain at an intersection in Jakarta.
Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty
The trio of street performers count their tips on the way home, while hitching a ride in a three-wheeled tuk-tuk, after spending the day performing at an intersection.
Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty
Keris Munandar poses as he arrives home on April 1, 2025.
Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP / Getty
Street performer Keris Munandar, helped by his daughter Nimas Apriyani, scrubs the irritating silver paint off his body in front of their home in Jakarta.
About the Author
Alan Taylor is a senior editor at The Atlantic.
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