The Origin of the “Telolet” Bus Horn: From Saudi Arabia to an Indonesian Icon
The “Om Telolet Om” phenomenon once took over social media in Indonesia. Children and even adults stood by the roadside just to hear a bus horn that sounded like “te-lo-let.” But did you know that the telolet horn is actually not originally from Indonesia?
Inspired by a Unique Sound in Saudi Arabia
The telolet horn was first brought to Indonesia by PO Efisiensi, a bus company from Central Java. Around 2002–2004, the owner of PO Efisiensi, Teuku Erry Rubihamsyah, became interested in a unique horn sound used by large buses and trucks in Saudi Arabia.
The horn produced a long, melodic “te-lo-let” tone. Out of curiosity and admiration for the sound, he purchased the horn equipment and brought it to Indonesia to install it on his buses.
According to Syukron Wahyudi, Commercial Manager of PO Efisiensi, the original telolet horn consists of three funnels that create the distinctive sound when pressed.
From Rejection to Public Favorite
In its early days, the telolet horn did not receive a warm welcome. Many people, especially in rural areas, considered the sound annoying. PO Efisiensi drivers were even instructed not to use the telolet horn and to rely only on the standard factory horn.
However, over the past four years, public taste has changed dramatically. The telolet horn has become a unique attraction.
In areas such as Cilacap, Yogyakarta, and Purwokerto, children often wave at passing buses and ask drivers to sound the telolet horn. These scenes spread widely on social media and eventually became a nationwide trend.
A Signature Feature of PO Efisiensi
Seeing the public’s enthusiasm, PO Efisiensi decided to make the telolet horn its signature feature. Today, around 60 buses in their fleet are equipped with two types of horns: the standard manufacturer horn and the telolet horn.
Initially, the telolet horns used by PO Efisiensi were imported directly from Saudi Arabia at a price of over IDR 5 million per set. Over time, local manufacturers began producing similar horns at more affordable prices, around IDR 3 million or less.
The “Tolelot” Mascot
Not only the horn, PO Efisiensi also created a city bus mascot named “Tolelot” about 5–7 years ago. The name comes from the word “tole” in the Javanese language, which means “a young boy.”
The idea was inspired by a common phrase spoken by mothers to their children when boarding a bus: “Le, kene, ojo mlaku wae” (Son, come here, don’t keep walking). From the word “tole,” the name “Tolelot” was formed by extending the pronunciation.
The mascot takes the form of a small child and has become a visual identity closely associated with PO Efisiensi.
The Middle Eastern Roots of the Telolet Sound
According to Arief Setiawan, Chairman of the Bismania Community, the telolet sound actually originated in the Middle East. There, the sound was used to scare away camels that often wandered onto the roads.
An Indonesian businessman later heard this distinctive sound, brought it back to Indonesia, and adapted it as a bus horn. Although it was not very popular at first, the telolet horn eventually went viral thanks to social media.
Editor’s Note
This article is compiled from various news reports and interviews with the Indonesian bus community. The content has been rewritten in a light narrative style to make it easier for general readers to understand.
Reflective Closing
From a tool to chase camels in the Middle East to a source of joy for children on Indonesian streets, the telolet horn proves that simple things can evolve into popular culture. Behind the cheerful “te-lo-let” sound lies a long story of creativity, adaptation, and the unique charm of Indonesia’s transportation world.
Redaksi Blog Orang Desa
Summary Table: Telolet Bus Horn Facts
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Horn Origin | Saudi Arabia / Middle East |
| Original Function | To scare camels off the road |
| Brought to Indonesia | Around 2002–2004 |
| Pioneer in Indonesia | PO Efisiensi |
| Number of Funnels | 3 funnels |
| Import Price | Over IDR 5 million per set |
| Local Production Cost | Around IDR 3 million or less |
| Popular Areas | Cilacap, Yogyakarta, Purwokerto |
| Bus Mascot | Tolelot |
| Meaning of “Tole” | Young boy (Javanese language) |
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