Publishing the

untold stories

of Southeast Asia.

isna marifa

Mountains More Ancient

(Kabar Media 2022)

“Isna Marifa has extended the geographical and emotional reach of the modern Indonesian novel. The result is an original and captivating story that has launched the career of a new and promising literary voice.”

It is 1751, and nine-year-old Wulan finds herself half a world away from her home in Java: torn from her adored grandparents, her chattering cousins, the sounds and smells of the landscape that she loves. She and her father Parto are enslaved on a Cape Colony farmstead, with little hope of returning home. In this new world they hold fast to their Javanese identity while, through their shared suffering, they forge bonds with the multicultural community whose descendants would come to be known as the Cape Malays.

susan ruddy

Penjor of Bali

(Kabar Media 2023)

In Penjor of Bali, Susan Ruddy invites us on a vivid exploration of Bali’s rich cultural tapestry, through the island’s evocative ritual decoration: the penjor. These intricately ornate bamboo poles are emblematic of the island’s spiritual life — but what exactly do they symbolize, and what hidden meanings can be found in their various styles?

Brimming with evocative photography and illustrations, Penjor of Bali offers us a unique encounter with the traditions and beliefs of an island deeply connected with nature and the divine. Ruddy’s very personal narrative demonstrates that the penjor, more than just an object, is a living testament to Bali’s unique culture and unwavering reverence for the beauty of life’s grand symphony. A must-read for cultural enthusiasts and travel lovers alike.

TARIQ KHALIL

Retronesia

The Years of Building Dangerously

(Kabar Media 2018)

“A sophisticated architectural “coffee table book” that works more like a snapshot of a larger project to write a social history.” New Mandala

“Like biting into a durian: Indonesia’s weird architecture of the ’50s and ’60s.” The Sydney Morning Herald

ISNA MARIFA

Sapaan

Sang Giri

(Kabar Media 2024)

‘NOVEL INI PENTING.’ Feby Indirani

Saat itu tahun 1751. Wulan, usia sembilan tahun, mendapati dirinya di belahan dunia lain, jauh dari desanya di Jawa. Ia terpisah dari kakek-nenek yang disayanginya, para kerabatnya yang suka bercengkrama, serta suara dan wewangian dari kampung halaman yang ia cintai …