Two Good Friends Promote Literacy

KOMPAS/MACHRADIN WAHYUDI RITONGA

Ntis Sutisna.

Despite seeing fewer customers recently, two good friends, Ntis Sutisna, 66, and Makmur, 59, continue to be loyal sellers of secondhand books in Bandung, West Java. For them, this business is not about money but is a way for them to promote literacy.

Although his books were increasingly turning yellow, Ntis kept cleaning and tidying them up in his small kiosk on Tuesday (15/6/2021). Arriving at around 9:30 a.m., he opened the cover of half of his kiosk, called Kios Buku Persada Indah, in Cihaurgeulis Market, better known as Pasar Suci in Bandung city.

The kiosk measures about 1.5 meters by 2.5 m and is crammed with piles of books to its ceiling. Only limited space is left for Ntis to move and turn around when cleaning the kiosk.

“Now, [the book sellers] still active in Pasar Suci are only me and the next-door shop,” said Ntis, who has been selling since the market opened in 1987.

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The secondhand book market there experienced its heyday from the 1990s to the early 2000s. At the time, there were 60 used book kiosks. Later, the used book business declined. The book traders there closed down one after another.

Over the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened book sales. Fewer buyers are around as people limit their mobility. The market is even more deserted, down to its corners. As a result, book sales are plummeting. Ntis claimed he often returned home empty handed as none of his books were sold that day. Now, the family needs of Ntis are covered with his income as a treasurer in the Cihaurgeulis Market Traders’ Cooperative and his wife’s salary as a teacher.

KOMPAS/ELSA EMIRIA LEBA

Dindin Sadeli (33), a seller at Raka Bookstore, is reading a book at his shop, Palasari Book Market, Bandung, West Java, Sunday (13/6/2021).

The circumstances have not prompted Ntis to abandon books. For him, books are not a mere commodity that can be replaced when they aren’t sold. He has experienced ups and downs with the books he has collected, stored and resold.“I live from books; my children can attend school also because of my book sales. Now, even though my daily needs are not covered, this kiosk will remain open in anticipation of buyers and book readers,” he said.

The spirit to keep selling books is also shared by Makmur. This bespectacled old man faithfully waits for buyers on the roadside of Jl. Cikapundung Barat. The 180 m road is known as the Cikapundung Secondhand Book Market.

“I’m not thinking of profit anymore. My children have also asked me to stop selling books, but I disagree,” he said with a laugh.

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Although situated in the city hub less than 100 m from Bandung Townsquare, this book kiosk seems to be ignored. The neat rows of books on one side of a building on Jl. Cikapundung Barat escaped the attention of pedestrians on Wednesday noon (16/6/2021).

“People aren’t very interested in reading books now. Previously, some of them would always be attracted by the rows of used books. There were those who bought after scanning and others who were indeed searching for certain books,” he added.

Book-hunting

Makmur recalling his past at the Cikapundung Secondhand Book Market. For more than 10 years, he has enjoyed the fortune of secondhand book sales there. This road was one of the main spots for used books from the 1970s to the late 1990s.

His secondhand book adventure began in the early 1980s. At the time, young Makmur as a primary school graduate was taken by his relative to Bandung from Cirebon. He also helped selling books and magazines in many places.

KOMPAS/MACHRADIN WAHYUDI RITONGA

Makmur.

“I guess I wasn’t even 20 yet then. After helping for several months, I thought the book business in Bandung city was quite brisk. I finally decided to open my own kiosk and seek suppliers myself,” he said.

His initial book hunt was a hard journey. Makmur searched for used book networks as far as Jakarta. He frequently had to spend one to two nights in the market because Bandung-Jakarta transportation was not as smooth as today.

“At first I was tricked by a friend. Around the mid-1980s, he took me to Jakarta. I thought I would be introduced to suppliers. It turned out that I was left alone at the Banteng Square Terminal. I had to seek suppliers on my own,” he recalled.

Makmur chose to roam Senen Market to find suppliers, some 800 m from the Banteng square.

“I got tricked again there. I was offered to go by bajaj [three-wheeled taxi] for such a short distance,” he said.

Quite often, the books he obtained were limited editions, so they were more expensive.

Makmur’s hard work while in Jakarta was fruitful. He found several suppliers of various books, both local and foreign. Quite often, the books he obtained were limited editions, so they were more expensive.

“I went to Jakarta at least every month to get books. But with many buyers, my book supply sold out very fast. I could sell dozens to hundreds of books daily,” he said.

His buyers were not only book lovers but also traders who were seeking rare books to be stocked.

Ntis Sutisna is quite familiar with Makmur as they frequently visit each other’s kiosks for books.

“We used to meet; when I had good books I would always inform Pak Ntis, so would he do the same. Thank God, he continues to maintain his book business like I do,” he said.

Ntis also spoke in the same tone. He said Makmur was one of his reliable suppliers of quality used books, especially for university studies.“He would occasionally also buy my books. So, share the books we need. I used to buy [university text books] from him,” he added.

Returning the favor

The booming sales at the time increased Ntis’ and Makmur’s welfare. They could afford to send their children to university. For the two men, the time has now come to return the favor to the books that have supported their lives.

“Just imagine, I’m only a primary school graduate but I can afford to send my children to university. With these books, my children can lead better lives,” said Makmur.

KOMPAS/ELSA EMIRIA LEBA

A quiet atmosphere at the Palasari Book Market, Bandung, West Java, Tuesday (15/6/2021).

Ntis has the same idea. He thinks that by keeping up his business, he can be sought after by used book readers.

“Now I’m not thinking of profit. The important thing is that we remain available when people again want to read books. Moreover, the books can enhance the culture of literacy in Bandung city. We will stay on,” he said.

Ntis Sutisna

Born: Bandung, April 24, 1955

Education: Putra Senior High School, Subsidized, Bandung (1976 graduate)

Makmur

Born: Cirebon, May 10, 1962

Education: Sindanglaut State Primary School (1974 graduate)

(This article was translated by Aris Prawira)