Muria Dalam Residents Enjoy Final Moments before Expulsion

Jakarta. The remaining residents along Jalan Muria Dalam in South Jakarta have found a way to enjoy their final days there before leaving for a new home. The slum area they are living in has been entirely purchased by a property developer and they must leave by the end of this month. But that doesn’t stop them from their favorite afternoon activity: pigeon race.

They have built several pigeon cages between the two-meter-high walls set up by the new owner of the land. Before starting the race, some young people greeted senior residents. While training and feeding their birds, they shared stories about birds and recent social problems. Right after the afternoon prayer, the jockeys climbed the wall using wooden ladders to start the race. They worked together to lift cages and move birds one-by-one to start the communal tradition.

The countdown has started. It won't be long before Muria Dalam's evening sky will lose the sight of racing pigeons.