The wet remains

The top of a mosque peeks out from the water. As well as homes, mosques and factories, the affected area also contains cemeteries. Only wealthier community members could afford to exhume grave sites and relocate the deceased.

Just another tourist site

A sign warns visitors not to go near the dam wall and reminds parents not to let their children play in the mud. Although it looks harmless, there is a strong smell of sulphur and the mud is black and oily to touch.

On the weekends curious visitors travel from places like Surabaya and Malang to see the site. Tour buses and cars cannot travel beyond the main road at Porong. Visitors wanting to go around the dam wall make use of the motorcycle hire service provided by entrepreneurial locals. When a man approaches touting DVDs it’s easy to forget you’re at the scene of a disaster and not just at another Indonesian tourist site.     ii

Siobhan Campbell (siobhanlc@hotmail.com ) and Jumaadi live in Sydney. Jumaadi was born in Sidoarjo and is a Masters of Fine Arts candidate at the National Art School, Sydney. Siobhan is an Indonesian language translator/interpreter. They travel to Sidoarjo frequently and have established a cultural centre, Rumah Budaya Pecantingan, which runs workshops and performances for local children and visitors.
All photo credits: Jumaadi/Siobhan Campbell