In almost every region in Indonesia can be found communities that have the skill for making earthenware crafts. The skill that represents an ancestral heritage is still unending, because the earthenware vessels become a need for most of the communities for their households, for storing rice, for cooking, and as a water container, vase, ashtray, etc.
Along with the era’s progress, demand for the earthenware for decoration, or house, hotel, restaurant accessories, and others, increases more right now, so it can support the sale value of earthenware in the market. Moreover, this earthenware is attracting more interest by foreigners, so the demand for earthenware abroad is also increasing.
Distinctive to Lombok Island, there are two regions that have residents with the to make earthenware craft, the two are Banyumulek Village, West Lombok, and Penujak Village, Central Lombok.
Distinctive to Lombok Island, there are two regions that have residents with the to make earthenware craft, the two are Banyumulek Village, West Lombok, and Penujak Village, Central Lombok.
“If we are talking about the origin of where the Banyumulek’s people get the skill in making the earthenware, then it will be long story. Certainly, this skill was given by our ancestor named Papuq Mulek,” said H. Jalaluddin, one of earthenware craftsmen in Banyumulek Village who were drying the earthenware of their group’s production when he was visited.
This earthenware craft, he continued, previously was made only to fulfill household needs, so the earthenware tended to have fixed shape. However along with market demands that increase as the effect of tourism opening up in West Nusa Tenggara, earthenware craftsman also responded having to be creative in making the earthenware designs, the function of earthenware has been also changed to be more like a decoration.
This earthenware craft, he continued, previously was made only to fulfill household needs, so the earthenware tended to have fixed shape. However along with market demands that increase as the effect of tourism opening up in West Nusa Tenggara, earthenware craftsman also responded having to be creative in making the earthenware designs, the function of earthenware has been also changed to be more like a decoration.
Because of that, it is not surprising that the shape of the earthenware has also become more varied, there is engraved earthenware with modern or natural colors, there is also enclosed in woven ketak earthenware (a kind of grass), and clam shell, with the traditional sketches typical of Lombok.
Asked about the quantity of their group production every day, this middle aged man re-explained, with their group member who numbered three people only, with assistance from each of their family, in a day their group can create about 40 up to 50 of earthenware vessels that have been fired. That is to say if the weather is favourable, it means that the sun is bright and it does not rain.
Next, the earthenware that has been fired is bought later by the owner of Art shops at various prices, depending on its kind. “For the earthenware of ‘gentong plocok’ pot type measuring 60 centimeters for example, the price of the earthenware vessel is 15,000 rupiahs, meanwhile the bottle type with a length 60 centimeters can be bought for 10,000 rupiahs, and for the plate type that are smaller, the price is about 2,000 up to 3,000 rupiahs,” explained Jalaluddin.
After the earthenware vessel from the craftsman is in the Art Shop, then it is decorated by adding the decoration or accessories to beautify the earthenware appearance, so when it is re sold to the tourists, the value is higher than before.
Then, where does Jalaluddin get the clay raw materials from to make the earthenware vessels, because not whole kinds of earth can become the raw material for earthenware. “We buy this clay in Lendang Andus Village, in the south of Lembar District, West Lombok, each truck of clay is usually bought for the price 120,000 rupiahs,” he explained.
Believe or not, the earthenware vessels that since previous times, even until now still becomes the equipment for housewives in Indonesia, now it has become the souvenir that is wanted by the tourists from various parts of the world. (SS Lelono)
source:enchanting-lomboksumbawa.com
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