MY LAST visit to Surabaya late last year provided us a glimpse of what East Java’s culture looked like. I was exposed to the harmonious relationship of the people living there despite the differences in religion. There were Christians and Muslims living together in the 400-year old city with no records of major wars and arguments of their people based on differences in religion.
On the last day on the city, we were given a few hours to tour one of the bird markets in the area. Back in the Philippines, there are lovebirds and other species sold in pet shops but it was not as huge a market as it is in Indonesia. Bird markets are one of the top tourism destinations in Indonesia – both for domestic and foreign tourists.
The bird market we visited in Surabaya was particularly memorable because of the intricately-designed cages that are displayed and hung on the either sides of the road. It seemed like a caste system for the animals. Those who are bought by rich owners end up in beautiful and more expensive cages while those who are not usually end up in plain cages which are still relatively sturdy.
Aside from birds, there are also fowls, cats, and rabbits sold to Indonesians and tourists alike. The kids are particularly attracted to cute baby animals inside the cages that they pet.
Although many have already disagreed and protested against the sale of endangered animals, the tourism on bird market in the East Java continues. An Aljazeera video report also showed a shop owner in one of the bird markets in Jakarta who had been imprisoned for sale of protected birds and yet after he was freed was back to selling again. Every country has their own culture and that makes them unique from the others.
When we visited, there were families bringing their little kids as if it’s a normal family routine and bonding to go around the bird market and to marvel at the bizarre-looking fowls and the beautifully-designed cages.
I interviewed one shopkeeper who was very excited after finding out that I am a Filipino. He shared that the bird market is really a sight in their area and that a lot of people go out of their way to visit. Some only to see the displayed animals while some really have the intention of spending and buying for the expensive rare birds.