Happy Times in Joho’s Kampung Hepi

The atmosphere at Gang Prenjak, RT 007/RW 010, Jl. Samratulangi, Kampung Joho, Manahan Subdistrict, Banjarsari District, Solo, in early August 2018, appeared quiet. Only a few middle-aged men could be seen finishing murals and reliefs. Indeed, in this neighborhood of 70 families, every wall, fence, and façade has been transformed into a canvas for visual art.

The murals and reliefs depict history, convey short messages, and serve as educational tools for the broader community. From abstract paintings to three-dimensional mask designs, as well as murals of national figures, football supporters, wayang (shadow puppet) characters, Indonesia’s first president Soekarno, and the seventh president—former mayor of Solo—Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

The creation of the murals involved ideas from the neighborhood’s youth and residents. At the entrance to the neighborhood, signboards also display the names of local businesses, ranging from culinary ventures, rental housing (kos), and services such as meatball stalls, soto, satay, fried noodles, chicken noodles, furniture making, painting, and dance arts. This lively atmosphere earned the neighborhood the nickname “Kampung Hepi,” derived from the English word Happy. The choice of the word reflected the residents’ wish for a happy, safe, healthy, and peaceful community.

The idea of creating Kampung Hepi began as early as 2007 but was officially declared in February 2018. Since then, residents have regularly and voluntarily carried out communal work each month to maintain Kampung Hepi.

In addition to its colorful murals, the neighborhood also offers community activities such as traditional children’s games, herbal drink stalls, and various handicrafts made by locals—further developing Kampung Hepi as a tourism destination.