“The power of emak-emak” is a phrase used jokingly in Indonesia to refer to the power of mothers, or more generally any strong-willed middle-aged ladies, who just don’t give a shit and won’t put up with any shit either.
A video clip that recently went viral in Indonesia perfectly demonstrates the concept. It starts with a couple of middle school kids in the midst of a fierce fight while dozens of their classmates crowd around and watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUKKdWD-7JA
Suddenly an emak in a pink and purple daster (housedress) comes onto the scene, wielding her broom like a samurai warrior. After breaking up the fight she pursues one of the boys and takes a swing at him, causing the bristles of her broom to fly off.
After she picks it up, she keeps following the fleeing fighters, pointing her broom handle at them as if she is daring them to turn around. As the crowd of kids finally start to disburse, she shakes her stick once more menacingly at a student trying to give her the side-eye.
It’s not clear yet where the video originated from, though judging from the kids and their school uniforms, it definitely took place in Indonesia.
The lesson is, no matter how badass you think you are kids, you’ll never be as badass as an emak, so don’t even try.
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