Odious comparisons
Topen Monyet – which literally means monkey with mask – is an activity practised in some cities of Java, Indonesia. It consists of the use of trained macaques in street shows. In order to carry out these practices, many macaque mothers are killed. Their offspring are stolen and are sold in animal markets for less than 15 euros. Many babies die in these markets in terrible conditions or during their transport. Those that survive are bought as pets or to be trained for the Topeng Monyet. The Topeng monyet macaques are harshly trained and are obliged to perform in the streets. These animals lead a frightening and lonely life, deprived from the social life that as primates very much need. There is an organisation known as JAAN (Jakarta Animal Aid Network) that works to avoid these practices.
In this series of photographs I try to show a comparison between the life of these animals in the wild and the conditions in which they live when they are in captivity for the practice of Topeng Monyet.
