Department store shows human oddities

BOGOR (JP): Mega M department store here has put a six-year- old dwarf on display in a show of human oddities. Suprehati weighs 3.2 kilograms and is 53 centimeters tall.

"Actually, we have wanted to put her on show since July. But we had to wait until August due to her tight schedule across the country," said Mega M supervisor Sidharama on Wednesday.

The show will last until Aug. 12.

Also on show are Jarwo and his "Mighty Teeth" which are able to pull a car, "Steel Man" Pardi who can chew different steel objects and a four-horned goat which drinks liquor and eats cigarettes.

Sidharama said Suprehati's income from the show was provided to her parents who are from Puncel village in Pati regency, Central Java.

Suprehati, the youngest of eight children, is shown to the public twice a day, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

"Spectators pay Rp 3,000 each to watch the show... and we also put out a donation box to collect people's assistance to her."

He said the box was always full "and all of the money goes to her family".

Many visitors appeared touched by her condition and waited in line to shake her hand.

Like other six-year-old girls, Suprehati likes to play house.

Suprehati is accompanied by her parents and her manager, Uus, during the shows.

"Nowadays, we have lots of shows... she appeared in Singapore, too," Uus said.

He said her income contributed greatly to bettering the lot of her family.

"Her older sisters and brothers can go to school, while the whole family has sufficient income now." (24/edt)