From My Little Corner of Aceh

By Yana Levy ‘24, Syiah Kuala University Fellow

I’m sitting with the cool kids. Hijabs over band tee shirts over baggy cargo pants, chain smoking, huddled around a small table in one of the cafes that hosts ‘frequency bahwa kota’ (underground) musical performances. The show has just ended. An intimate session with a singer-songwriter duo from the community celebrating the release of their new album. I felt grateful to the friend who invited me, but awkward as I struggle to adapt to the norms of the space which does not resemble any concert I’ve ever been to.