Indonesia's "Silver" begs for survival

AFP's photojournalist Yasuyoshi Chiba recently spent a rainy day in Jakarta, where three men painted themselves with metal paint and became "Manusia Silver" or Silvermen, seeking a donation from Passersby. Rising prices and growing unemployment levels have led to an increase in begging across Jakarta. The group then says here that on a good day they can earn up to Rs 200,000 ($12). Afterwards, they returned home, wiped off the irritating paint and started over the next day.

A street performer, whose body is completely covered in silver paint, pays homage when begging for money on the street.
yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty
The photo, taken on April 1, 2025, shows street performer Ari Munandar, whose body is painted in silver and swings its tip at a crossroad in Jakarta.
A man sat on concrete steps and mixed silver paint in a small bucket.
yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty
Ari Munandar is preparing to apply for his body in silver paint in Jakarta on April 7, 2025.
A man painted silver paint on his face and neck.
yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty
Street performer Keris Munandar painted his body into silver before leaving.
Three silver street performers walk on a pedestrian bridge over a river in the industrial area.
yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty
Keris Munandar, his brother Ari Munandar and their neighbor Riyan Ahmad Fazriyansah walk to the main road on April 7, 2025, and hitchhike.
Three men covered in silver paint on the back of the container truck.
yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty
Ari Munandar, Riyan Ahmad Fazriyansah and Keris Munandar ride to an intersection in Jakarta at the back of the container truck.
A transparent Akaya street performer covered in silver paint
yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty
Ari Munandar covered in silver paint and crossed a road in Jakarta. Ari admitted to the embarrassment and said he was ashamed of making money this way, and he hoped to do better soon and a better future for his daughter.
A silver street performer poses on the crosswalk during the storm.
yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty
Keris Munandar stopped at traffic lights in Jakarta on April 1, 2025 and tipped in the rain at an intersection.
A street performer covered in silver paint took out a bucket for tips next to the car.
yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty
Ari Munandar took out a bucket to receive the tip.
When some paint was in his eyes, a man covered with silver paint.
yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty
Ari Munandar reacted when some silver paint turned red before waiting for traffic lights.
Three street performers, completely covered in silver paint, posing alongside the road.
yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty
This photo shows street performers Riyan Ahmad Fazriyansah, Ari Munandar and Keris Munandar performing at an intersection in Jakarta on April 1, 2025.
Performers covered with silver paint will tip from a person on the scooter on the street.
yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty
Ari Munandar received a tip in the rain at a crossroads in Jakarta.
The three men were completely covered in silver paint and sat side by side on the tuk-tuk, counting the money.
yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty
The trio of street performers figured out their skills on the way home while hitting a ride on the three-wheeled Tuk-Tuk after spending a day at the intersection.
A man covered in silver paint stands at the door of the house.
yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty
Keris Munandar's posture when he returned home on April 1, 2025.
A man kneels down and a young girl playfully scrubbing her back with soap and water.
yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty
Street performer Keris Munandar scrubbed the irritating silver paint in front of his home in Jakarta with the help of his daughter Nimas Apriyani.