Always grateful for Leslie Feinberg's decision to make "Stone Butch Blues" available to read for free, as looking for one in Indonesia was like trying to touch my own toes (I'm not flexible). A challenging read but necessary. It sucks being put in a narrow box when you contain multitudes. #Booksky

I just joined early Hobbit Day meeting at Grey Haven Smial's Discord where we shared something from Tolkien and outside Tolkien to describe what "Hobbitness" means. I read from my Indonesian The Hobbit book and managed to connect these books, especially when sharing about what "home" really means.

The spirit that befriends a girl in Hanna Alkaf's "The Girl and the Ghost" is based on Malay folklore of pelesit, a protective spirit that appears as a grasshopper. In the story, pelesit is a vengeful spirit tied with blood pact and passed down between generations of the female line. #WyrdWednesday

I like Jan Pospíšil's unique interpretation of the Corsairs of Umbar's helmets. Visual-wise, I think they are closer to Tolkien's drawing of Númenórean helmet (setting aside the practicality and personal taste). I also saw the crown of Roger Garland's Ulmo in them. #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday

It's #TolkienTrewsday Pirates! Here's a whole gang of them being overrun by the advancing Dead in Alexander Korotich's c. 1985 scraperboard pic The Corsairs. Drawn on the back of chopped up Politburo propaganda posters his work is a revelation and you can read more about it in my book #Tolkien

Ma'nene is a ritual in North Toraja, South Sulawesi, where people exhume the bodies of their loved ones from burial chambers, clean them, change their clothes, even serve their favorite food. It roots in ancient belief Aluk Todolo, "the Way of the Ancestors". 1/4 🧵 #WyrdWednesday

Remembering #Tolkien: On 25 January 1973, few months before passing away, Tolkien sent a letter and this photo to a fan, Patrick Hunt, who was in prison. He wrote, "I have had very dark days of my own in my time, and I do hope that yours will soon now be over." 1/2 #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday

Muhawi and Kanaana spent 30 years gathering Palestinian folktales from Gaza, the West Bank, and Galilee. The result is a book of 45 tales drawn from hikaye tradition, mostly narrated by women. I appreciate the ethnographical notes, folkloric analysis, and index of folk motifs in this book. #Booksky

Pink is back to today's protest in front of DPR/Parliament building, Jakarta. Students, civil groups, and public blended in Piknik National Rakyat (People's Picnic), sharing meal, playing games, and asking for government's accountability related to the 17+8 demands voiced at the previous protests.

I love how Indonesian artists combat propaganda with genuine expressions. Daffa (@/daphodeal at Instagram) used pink and green popularized during protests to wish for: Reformasi, Empati, Transparansi, Kesejahteraan Rakyat (people's prosperity) and Warga Jaga Warga (people take care of each other).

The winged horse in Arabian Nights' "The Ebony Horse" and the Iron Dragons in #Tolkien's "The Fall of Gondolin" shared fascination over mechanical beasts in classic tales, including how they are viewed in folktale/fairy tale and modern eyes. 🧵 1/4 #WyrdWednesday 🎨: Edmund Dulac, Roger Garland

My mom visited my aunt's village, and she gifted her a whole bunch of sweet potatoes 💕

On 4 February 1937, The Oxford Magazine published Tolkien's humorous poem, "The Dragon's Visit", about a dragon sleeping under the cherry tree in the garden of an Englishman, Mr. Higgins. It ended up being confronted by a fire brigade. 1/8 🧵 #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday 🎨: J.R.R. Tolkien (1927)

Tales from Other Realms. Leaf by Niggle in book, audio, art and play form. A brilliant story by #Tolkien #TolkienTrewsday @timbolton.bsky.social Art by Constantini

She is Ana, and she made it to TEMPO cover, ed. 1 September. She's why many Indonesians use pink on profile pics. "Pink, the 'P' is Pemberani (brave), Perjuangan (fight), Perlawanan (resistance)." As usual, Indonesian artists sent their regards. 🎨: @/peppironyy (X), @/haisayahaisa (X), Ankeopann

Today's protest in my hometown ended peacefully, so I'm resting and reading. "Laut Bercerita" by Leila S. Chudori is based on forced disappearances of Indonesian activists in the tumultuous years of 1997 and 1998, translated in 2020. She discussed with the kidnapping survivor for her novel. #Booksky

Following the Jakarta protests, Gedung MPR/DPR (Parliament building) on G-Maps was labeled beban negara ("country's burden"), kantor pengangguran ("office of the unemployed"), pejabat kontol ("dick lawmakers"), markas penjahat ("villain's lair") and ornamen mmk tembem (yea I'm not translating that).

Spontaneous artistic expressions about the killing of Affan Kurniawan by cops popping up on Indonesian social media. I use these as a barometer of public voice since these organic expressions are different from propaganda posts. 🎨: @/rizumah_ (X), @/inggridiart (IG), @/ganeca (X), @/maghfirare (X)

(29/8) Huge convoy of Gojek rideshare riders guarding the funeral procession of Affan Kurniawan, a Gojek rider killed after the Mobile Brigade Cops slammed his motorbike with their armored tactical vehicle and rode over him during a protest. They rode to Karet Bivak cemetery, Central Jakarta. 1/3

I’ve needed to make this for a bit- but here’s a thread of people who are being forced out of Gaza City- a lot of people living in Gaza City have been in bombed out buildings so they don’t have tents and also they need transportation. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

From yesterday's protest in Semarang, Central Java, I present to you: a protester turning on his goddamn Strava when running from riot cops and tear gas. We all have potentials to be good runners. All we need is just some tear gas and ✨️strong motivation✨️

I just can't help it. 📷: Adhi Wicaksono for CNN Indonesia (1) Mustafa Hassona, photographed during the Great March of Return 2018 (2)

A woman in pink hijab spotted in the latest protest in front of the House of Representatives building in Jakarta (28/8) berating and attacking armored cops for protecting corrupt government, using excessive force, killing food delivery driver Affan Kurniawan, and throwing tear gas at protesters.

On 25 July 2025, 1,000 silat fighters in Sukabumi, West Java, broke the national record of most players who played Bola Leungeun Seuneu ("fire handball") simultaneously. This folk game involves two teams trying to score points while keeping the coconut ball they use burning. 1/3 #WyrdWednesday

The Star of Eärendil, born out of tragedy yet providing guiding light, brings to mind a folktale of Mentawai, off the western coast of Sumatra, about how the Pleiades star cluster were born from abandoned siblings who rose to the sky with their boats. 1/4 A 🧵 for #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday

Wandering But Not Lost is Smith of Wootton Major on one of his journeys into Faery, depicted by #PaulineBaynes and #RogerGarland on 2 hardback #Tolkien editions #TolkienTrewsday @timbolton.bsky.social

A traveler, guided by the Star of Eärendil ✨ #TolkienTrewsday and #AmonHen Art Challenge: Wandering but not lost

The Straw Hat Pirates' Jolly Roger flags from "One Piece" at a protest in front of the House of Representatives building in Jakarta (25/8) over the bloated allowances for parliament members. It has appeared weeks before Independence Day, voicing shared frustration over the government's performance.

The greatest dream could be something mundane. This artwork commission for my best friend @tjqchristian.bsky.social and this piece I wrote reflect my great wish. Because in a friendship separated by distance and circumstances, a simple talk over coffee becomes a luxury. 🎨: daillymochi (IG)

Onuka chocolate bars have packaging designs inspired by popular Indonesian folklore. These are: the origin of Reog Ponorogo (East Java), Jaka Tarub and the Seven Goddesses (Central Java), the tale of Samba Paria (West Sulawesi), and the folkloric retelling of Arya Penangsang tale (Central Java).

The "sea nomads" Bajau people who live in Appatanah Village, Selayar Islands, South Sulawesi, believe the existence of Kutta: a giant octopus with tentacles as long as coconut trees. Arrogant or obscene talk and behavior on the sea are believed to invite the wrath of Kutta. #WyrdWednesday

Simbelmynë, the graveyard flowers in #Tolkien Middle-earth, had an elegiac nature that reflected all that had passed. It always brings to my mind a different type of graveyard flower from home that has similar nature: kamboja (frangipani). A floral 🧵 for #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday 1/7

In today’s piece I’m having some fun with nonsense insects and flowers on the moon in Tolkien’s story Roverandom. There may also be a call to artists… 🎨 #TolkienTuesday #TolkienTrewsday dimitrafimi.substack.com/p/tolkien-tu...

Bilbo and The Black Emperors by #RuthLacon. Plenty of colourful flora & fauna on display here on the cover of the book The Art of Ruth Lacon #Tolkien #TheHobbit #TolkienTrewsday @timbolton.bsky.social

Everyone who takes an interest in Tolkien... Do visit Oxford Botanical Garden and Arboretum. Worth it! Plus... Extra Pinus Nigra vibes! 🌲🤩

#TolkienTrewsday Week 130 and #AmonHen #ArtChallenge Week 3: Flora & Fauna “Der Zauberer” Gandalf befriends a lone deer as he rests among the nature of Middle Earth.

White deer of Mirkwood 🦌 #TolkienTrewsday and #AmonHen Art Challenge: Flora & Fauna

You cannot eat rainbow sentiling from Semarang without Indonesian queer poetry book. (Glutinous cake made of cassava, coconut milk, palm sugar, and shaved coconut)

Court seer Dang Sima in my childhood book, Sumatra folktale "Queen Pasemah Cannot Sleep", acted loyal, yet secretly gaslighted and terrorized the queen to turn her insane from sleepless nights so he could dethrone her. She killed him herself with a sword and lived until 102, though. #WyrdWednesday

Horses might have been treated as instruments of war, but the bond between them and people can't be denied; unmistakable for Tolkien in his stories and real life. A 🧵from my blog on war horses and their bond with people beyond beasts and owners. 1/6 #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday 🎨: Anna Kulisz

Today’s piece for #TolkienTuesday #TolkienTrewsday examines Tolkien’s Silmarillion “beasts”, dinosaurs, and representations of the prehistoric past in Middle-earth. With thanks to @tattersdill.bsky.social for our recent conversation! 🦕 dimitrafimi.substack.com/p/tolkien-tu... @tolkiensociety.org

"Flies dun or grey or black marked liked orcs with a red eye shaped blotch buzzed and stung" Sauron liked a bit of advertising - helms, shields and even flies. Sorcery or did poor Shagrat sit in the tower painting them by hand? Beasts #TolkienTrewsday #LOTR @timbolton.bsky.social Art Alan Corless

⛰️🎨🧵 /9 Over the #TolkienTrewsday weeks, I have written a number of "Beast" related blog posts. Here are some: Week 13: "Animals" - Tuesday 23 May 2023... "A Middle-earth Bestiary: naming the animals in Tolkien’s works and adaptions" greenbookofthewhitedowns.blogspot.com/2023/05/tolk...

Happy #InternationalCatDay. Here's "The Kitten Didi", a cute song by Palestinian singer Rim Banna, taken from "April Blossoms: Songs from Palestine Dedicated to All the Children" album (2009), in line with her work of revitalizing Palestinian folk songs and lullabies. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfux...

Located near a restaurant in Kedewatan, Ubud, Bali, Taman Dedari ("the garden of the goddesses") featured various dedari statues; the biggest ones are 10 meters tall. They were inspired by the tale of Resi Markandeya, who saw goddesses descended to nearby Ayung River in a meditation. #WyrdWednesday

In Tolkien's works, Faerie is seen as the land of endless beauty and peril. Humility is required here, or disasters shall strike. This concept is also present in hutan larangan ("forbidden forest"), prevalent in various cultures in Indonesia. 1/8 🧵 #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday #Tolkien

Today’s piece is on “Tolkien, Landscape Archaeology, and the First Age of Middle-earth” - revisiting some of my older research for #TolkienTuesday #TolkienTrewsday dimitrafimi.substack.com/p/tolkien-tu... @tolkiensociety.org @tolkienguide.com @uofgfantasy.bsky.social @uofgartshums.bsky.social

On ne peut pas décemment commencer un #ArbrediTolkien ( #TolkienTrewsday) sur le thème PAYSAGES ET REPÈRES sans partager cette merveilleuse illustration de Matēj Čadil.🥰 Un splendide agencement de plusieurs paysages qui sont autant de mises en abyme!🧙‍♂️

The Party Tree 🌳🎉 For #AmonHen Art Challege and #TolkienTrewsday: Landscapes and Landmarks