Nona Manis -- RI's David Copperfield<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Children screamed while adults looked on in
\nseriousness when a master of ceremony opened a screen, revealing
\na girl's head on a round table during an entertainment group's
\nperformance at the Jakarta fair.<\/p>\n
The "miracle girl" is the only show performed by the Nona
\nManis group, which has appeared at the Jakarta Fair since its
\nopening day.<\/p>\n
Positioned on a table, the girl's head -- introduced as Monita
\n-- answered spectators' questions, sang and read holy Koranic
\nverses.<\/p>\n
A voice from a loud speaker invited fair visitors: "Come see
\nthe miracle girl, Nona Manis. Amazing."<\/p>\n
The show is performed in a plywood building measuring 5 by 10
\nmeters. Half of the building has benches for spectators, while
\nthe other is for the show, which is separated by a screen.<\/p>\n
As the show opened, the master of ceremony, E.M Januardi,
\nannounced that the girl came from West Sumatra.<\/p>\n
Januardi, who is also the group's technical manager, then
\nopened the screen, revealing the girl's head on a round, three-
\nleg table.<\/p>\n
The girl's head, wearing eye glasses, then mentioned her
\naddress in West Sumatra.<\/p>\n
"Come on, you can ask her," the master ceremony said,
\nencouraging the spectators.<\/p>\n
The distance between spectators and the girl was about two
\nmeters.<\/p>\n
A man from West Sumatra then asked the girl to name a street
\nin Padang, West Sumatra. The girl answered the question
\ncorrectly.<\/p>\n
"Why don't we ask her to sing? Agree?" Januardi said.<\/p>\n
Monita then sang a dangdut song.<\/p>\n
The girl's head then recited some Koranic verses, ending the
\nshow.<\/p>\n
The spectators left with mixed feelings. Some were satisfied,
\nwhile others were astonished.<\/p>\n
A woman from Klender, East Jakarta expressed her astonishment:
\n"How? Is that true?".<\/p>\n
"It's not magic. It's just a technical illusion like David
\nCopperfield from the United States," Asmay Dona, the group's
\nadministrative manager said.<\/p>\n
He said that an average of 40 people watch each show, which
\nlasts between 10 to 15 minutes. Spectators pay Rp 2,000 (85 US
\ncents) for adults and Rp 1,500 for children for each show.<\/p>\n
"The number of spectators might reach 75 people a show on
\nSaturdays and Sundays," he said, adding that the group may
\nperform 10 shows every night, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.<\/p>\n
Dona said the group was set up in 1994 in Bukittinggi, West
\nSumatra by Jaman St. Lelo, an army pensioner. The group has
\nperformed throughout the country.<\/p>\n
The group's manager said that the group earns an average Rp
\n1.2 million a night and has 14 employees. Employees each receive
\nRp 20,000 a day.<\/p>\n
Dona seemed proud when he said that his group performed in
\n1994 at an Information Office meeting attended by Minister of
\nInformation Harmoko in Bukittinggi. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nona-manis-ris-david-copperfield-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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