Story of Mbah Harjo, The Oldest Porter in Beringharjo Market

Among the crowds in Beringharjo Market, Yogyakarta City, Mbah Harjo (70), an elderly woman is struggling to make a living as a porter. She has to spend her old age by carrying her customers’ heavy groceries.

Mbah Harjo carries the groceries of Beringharjo Market visitor, Yogyakarta City. (ACTNews/Ichsan Ali)

ACTNews, YOGYAKARTA CITY – An elderly woman was seen about to cross the road among the crowds of Beringharjo Market, Yogyakarta City. Her bent body was carrying a lot of heavy groceries. She is Harjo (70) or more familiar as Mbah Harjo, a porter from Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta.

Sweat was pouring down her forehead. Mbah Harjo said she has been working since early morning at the market that becomes the tourism landmark of Malioboro. “I have been working since 1965, it is not a short time,” said Mbah Harjo to ACTNews, Sunday (9/5/2021).