Friday, January 29, 2010

"pengamen"



A young pengamen (singing beggar, busker) entertaining a couple of park visitors at Alun-alun Bandung.

The word pengamen used to refer to a traveling performer or group of performers who make a living from the tips given by their audiences. In this sense, it is the equivalence of the word "busker" in English. However, the shifting emphasis of the practice has changed the connotation of the word. Different kinds of non-artist performers are now roaming the streets for money. This includes children and those who do not have the performing art capability. Thus the practice is now considered only as a trick of beggary.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Followers