Horrible 'enceng gondok' proves its usefulness<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Most people regard the water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes),
\nlocally known as enceng gondok, as a horrible water plant that
\nspreads throughout a lake, destroying its ecosystem.<\/p>\n
In skilled hands, however, this ugly plant can be used to
\ncreate beautiful, artistic works. It could even possibly become a
\ngold mine.<\/p>\n
Nowadays, enceng gondok handicraft can be found easily.
\nCreative craftsmen use the water plant to make fancy baggage,
\nslippers, furniture and even clothes. You name it.<\/p>\n
A staff member at a handicraft boutique in Kemang, South
\nJakarta, said demand for enceng gondok handicrafts was high.<\/p>\n
\"Modern people tend to get back to nature. Therefore, we
\ncreate handicraft items to fulfill the demand. We use enceng
\ngondok as the main material,\" said Nani.<\/p>\n
The boutique displays many kinds of handicraft, such as vases,
\nbaggage, slippers and clothes made from enceng gondok. Nani said
\nthe handicrafts were made in Cirebon, West Java and Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
\"We make the designs only but we always control the quality,\"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
There are also handicrafts made from coarse grass. The price
\nstarts from Rp 25,000 (US$2.85) for a vase up to more than Rp 1
\nmillion for a enceng gondok dress.<\/p>\n
The boutique sells more than 20 pieces of enceng gondok
\nhandicraft a week.<\/p>\n
A furniture store in Blok M, also in South Jakarta, displays
\nnice chairs, tables and drawers made from enceng gondok.<\/p>\n
\"We use enceng gondok because its fiber is strong, moldable
\nand long lasting. We can create modern furniture with a natural
\ntouch using this plant,\" Suhendi, the store manager, said.<\/p>\n
Customers, especially foreigners, love furniture made of
\nenceng gondok because of its natural look, he said.<\/p>\n
The store sells up to three sets of enceng gondok furniture
\neach week. A chair sells for Rp 250,000, a table at Rp 400,000
\nand a drawer at Rp 300,000.<\/p>\n
Reina Mestikawati, a consumer, admitted that enceng gondok
\nhandicrafts attracted her due to its natural look.<\/p>\n
\"I like natural materials such as this enceng gondok bag
\nbecause it's harmless to our environment. Besides, it looks good
\nand is quite exclusive at an affordable price,\" the employee of a
\nprivate company said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/horrible-enceng-gondok-proves-its-usefulness-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}