Jakarta Fair, fun for the whole family

Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

He stands out with his prominent nose and bushy black moustache. His name is Bang Jair, and don't be surprised when he greets you at the Jakarta Fair 2002 at the Jakarta Fairground in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

This year's Jakarta Fair organizers -- the Jakarta International Trade Fair (JITF) and the city administration -- have made Bang Jair and his family the official mascots for the annual revelry.

"We want the Jakarta Fair to be a family affair, we hope the mascots will reflect that," Jakarta Fair public relations Thoman Hutasoit said.

Bang Jair is a typical Betawi man, someone you would have met some 20 years ago roaming around the streets of the capital. His figure is more or less like the late Benyamin Suaeb, a prominent Betawi comedian.

The 35 year old's traditional batik trousers and white koko (Chinese-style shirt) are distinctively Betawi along with his oversized belt and sarong. Bang Jair's peci (black velvet cap) is often askew but never leaves his head.

"The name Jair we got from the combination of the words Jakarta Fair," Thoman said. Bang is Betawi for elder brother.

The Jakarta Fair has long been regarded as a national trade fair so it is important to introduce it as entertainment venue for the whole family, he explained.

In line with this family theme, 300 performances will be staged to suit all tastes and ages, including music shows by famous artists like Denada, Katon Bagaskara and Ari Lasso, as well as bands like Jikustik, Netral, Base Jam and The Groove.

Jakarta Fair was first organized in 1968 at the National Monument (Monas) Park in Central Jakarta, but moved in 1992 to a more spacious location at the former Kemayoran airport.

Bang Jair is accompanied by his 30-year-old wife, Aminah or affectionately called Mpok Mine (Mpok is Betawi for elder sister), and two children Udin and Lela.

The elder child, Udin, is portrayed as a handsome six-year-old boy and described as "inquisitive, naughty, but also bright and protective of his younger sister".

Meanwhile, four-year-old Lela is a "spitting image of her mother", the organizers said. A clairvoyant has even foretold that Lela will someday become a famous model.

The whole family is attired in traditional Betawi clothing, with Udin wearing the same sort of costume as his father, and Mpok Mine and Lela wearing kebaya and scarves of a greenish hue, and batik sarongs.

The whole family is portrayed on stickers, posters and banners promoting the month-long event.

The Betawi people, indigenous Jakartans, emerged from a melting pot of races, ethnic groups and cultures of Indonesia in the 19th century. Today they constitute the city's main ethnic groups along with the Javanese and the Sundanese.

More than 1,500 participants, including regional administration representatives, state-owned and regional-owned companies, private companies and small and medium enterprises will be represented at this year's fair. The organizers expect to see at least Rp 200 billion (about US$23 million) in transactions during the fair, an increase from last year's Rp 173 billion.