Alexandros Zilos – Visual Journey into Tengger people Livelihood in Indonesia

Alexandros Zilos is a documentary photographer and videographer based in Athens, Greece. He focuses on social and environmental issues both in Greece and around the globe. His work aims to shed light on critical matters, capturing the essence and impact of these issues through visual storytelling.

The Tenggerese are a sub-ethnic group of Javanese descent, with around 100,000 people spread across 30 villages in the Tengger mountains of East Java, Indonesia. They claim lineage from the Majapahit princes, reflecting a deep cultural heritage and a rich tradition of stories passed down through generations.

The Tenggerese community exhibits a blend of agricultural and nomadic lifestyles. Some members are farmers, cultivating the fertile lands at lower altitudes, where they grow crops such as potatoes, cabbage, and other vegetables. These farming practices are not only a means of sustenance but also a way of preserving traditional agricultural techniques.

In contrast, other Tenggerese lead a more nomadic life in the higher altitudes of the mountains. This nomadic group relies heavily on horses, which play a crucial role in their daily lives and economy. Horses are used for transportation, tourism, and carrying goods, illustrating the adaptive strategies the Tenggerese employ to thrive in their diverse and challenging environment.

The Tenggerese’s close relationship with Mount Bromo, an active volcano, is central to their cultural and spiritual practices. The annual Kasada festival, where offerings are thrown into the volcano to honour the gods, underscores their connection to this dramatic landscape. This unique blend of agricultural and nomadic practices, spiritual traditions, and historical lineage makes the Tenggerese a distinctive and resilient community within Indonesia.