Hear that?? It’s Kupang Bemo Rap!!
24 March 2011 at 07:00 Lisa 10 comments
Did you expect an Indonesian Rap song when you first clicked on the blog link? Sorry no unique West Timor rap here. Actually the #1 artist that I’ve heard is Justin Beiber, and I’ve been notified on SEVERAL occasions that he’ll be playing in Jakarta soon. I’ll spare you and not embed his latest track into this blog, though if you’d like the true Kupang experience, feel free to download the song from iTunes and listen while reading the rest of this post.
Despite the shock of seeing so many Justin Beiber fanatics on the isolated island of West Timor, I was perplexed by the brightly Skittle-colored mini-buses tearing through the winding Kupang streets. The colors almost blinded me against the stark concrete grey buildings. I learned quickly that the bright flashes whizzing by are the infamous Kupang “Bemo.”
Kupang Bemos
Unlike back home in the US, the haunt of the standard Yellow Cab, the Kupang Bemos are decked out in outrageous custom decals and are blaring rap with heavy bass. I think to myself that driving one of these is the equivalent of shutting your eyes and putting in your headphones while turning your iPod to full blast. Me of course, a sucker for new cultural experiences, decided to (double check my Medex health insurance and) jump right on in!
Front windshield view
I had heard from the locals that the reason why the Bemos are so wildly decorated is to attract passengers. As I’m squashed in the Bemo with 6 students, I turn and ask how they pick which Bemo to ride. One English-speaking schoolgirl informs me that they pick based on whether or not the Bemo is playing “cool” music. Also, the bemo driver has to be young, preferably with spikey hair, cool clothes, and earrings. Old drivers (my ripe age of 26 according to the girls) would never get any passengers. The girls also informed me that they would wait on the curb for their Bemo of choice, despite having several others drive by.
As our conversation continues, the little turquoise bemo I was riding in effortly charged through the crowded Kupang streets with the expertise of the 17 year-old Bemo driver and his 10 year-old traffic directing accomplice, who spent the majority of the ride dangling half-way out the door. In the end, I was delivered safely to the bemo terminal with Justin Bieber ringing in my ears.
The Bemo musical playlist and décor is fierce on the Kupang streets, so I thought why not bring it to the web? Please vote on your favorite Bemo, and I’ll report back the results to the Bemo boys next week! The most popular Bemo will probably get an influx of new clients!
A) Pink Fever
B) Google Halloween
C) Fox News
Coming Soon: Kiva Fellow, Adam Cohn, will be posting about share-taxis around the world. If you’re all about the public transport trend, then check it out! After all, public transport is green and being green is cool! 
Lisa Skowron (KF14) is currently working with Kiva’s MFI partner, TLM Cooperative, in West Timor. Check out TLM’s lending team to stay tuned to the latest news.
Previous posts from Lisa Skowron:
Huh, There’s a West Timor?
Video Blog: Trek to Kanaan Village
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Entry filed under: Indonesia, KF14 (Kiva Fellows 14th Class). Tags: BlogSherpa Indonesia, culture, Indonesia, Kiva, Kiva Fellows, kupang, Public transportation, west timor.
1. Surat Dari Indonesia | 12 September 2011 at 18:26
[...] posts from Lisa Skowron: Huh, There’s a West Timor? Video Blog: Trek to Kanaan Village Hear that? It’s Kupang Bemo Rap!! A Different Spin on Mobile [...]
2. West Timor Research Insights from a Boren Fellow « Kiva Stories from the Field | 1 May 2011 at 07:03
[...] posts from Lisa Skowron: Huh, There’s a West Timor? Video Blog: Trek to Kanaan Village Hear that? It’s Kupang Bemo Rap!! A Different Spin on Mobile [...]
3. shanty | 1 May 2011 at 05:02
No matter the colour but i prefer bemo without music
4. Share Taxis Around The World: The How, Why & Design « Kiva Stories from the Field | 26 April 2011 at 11:01
[...] are a much more entertaining way to go. Similar to Timor’s bemos which Stephanie mentioned in her article, the minibuses in Rwanda are where the action is. Each one is navigated by a driver, while a [...]
5. A Different Spin on “Mobile Savings” « Kiva Stories from the Field | 15 April 2011 at 07:01
[...] posts from Lisa Skowron: Hear that??? It’s Kupang Bemo Rap! Huh, There’s a West Timor? Video Blog: Trek to Kanaan [...]
6. Adam | 28 March 2011 at 08:10
I like Posh Boy with the Gasoline Only admonition!
7. Update from the Field: Social Quirks, Justin Bieber + Lots of Carbs « Kiva Stories from the Field | 28 March 2011 at 03:58
[...] Hear that?? It’s Kupang Bemo Rap!! Country: Indonesia / Fellow: Lisa Skowron (KF14) Kupang, West Timor takes its taxis (“bemos”) VERY seriously and you can vote for your favorite at the end of Lisa’s post. Fortunately, listening to Justin Bieber for an authentic Kupang Bemo experience while voting is optional. [...]
8. Stephanie Sibal | 24 March 2011 at 19:02
HANDS DOWN, Pink Fury. Glad to see some style in Kupang! xo
9. Gustavo Visalli | 24 March 2011 at 14:38
I would obviously ride in the Bemo blasting either Weezy or Justin Beiber the loudest.
10. julie | 24 March 2011 at 11:23
Wooow I love this post… very cute and clever. My vote goes for Google Halloween though Pink Fury is a close second… and Fox News is just no comment. I’m a former Kiva Fellows member myself who went to Indonesia following my KF10 service so this post brings back lots of good SE Asia memories : )