Kasongan earthenware center survives crisis<\/p>\n
Text and pictures by Tarko Sudiarno<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Farmers in Kasongan, a poor village in Bantul
\nregency, Yogyakarta, once spent their leisure time making
\ntraditional earthenware products such as vases, stoves, piggy
\nbanks and household vessels.<\/p>\n
Times change, and now, although the village still produces
\nearthenware articles, the situation is considerably different.
\nKasongan, which was considered a \"backward\" village some 20 years
\nago, has turned into an international center of earthenware.<\/p>\n
The villagers, who once were ashamed to tell people where they
\nlive, are now proud of their hometown. The formally isolated
\nvillage south of Yogyakarta now sees great numbers of visitors
\nfrom overseas and other parts of Indonesia. It has become a
\ntourist attraction. Kasongan products are in great demand by
\nconsumers across the world and production increases from year to
\nyear.<\/p>\n
If the Indonesian tourism industry has declined in the
\nprotracted economic crisis, the opposite has taken place in
\nKasongan. In 1997, Kasongan needed 151 shipping containers to
\nexport its products. In 1998 the number of containers increased
\nto 276. The greater part of the exports went to Australia and
\nEurope.<\/p>\n
The achievement of the Kasongan earthenware craftsmen did not
\nhappen overnight. Their experience has gone a long way. Before
\n1975 the craftsmen had to hawk their products on bicycles, doing
\nthe rounds in Yogyakarta and in Central Java. It took them
\nseveral days to tour the region. Leaving home to sell their wares
\nwas the life of many Kasongan residents.<\/p>\n
The hard work of several generations did not pay off until
\n1975. At that time it was still the poor farmers who made the
\nhandicrafts. Their welfare was in a sad state and people did not
\npay any attention to them.<\/p>\n
Things started to come alive after Sapto Hoedojo and other
\nYogyakarta artists came to help.<\/p>\n
With the work and advice of the artists, the Kasongan
\ntraditional earthenware craftsmen learned to be innovative with
\ntheir works. They abandoned the traditional earthenware motifs
\nand developed multi-functional art works. Formerly, the
\ntraditional products were meant for household use only, now they
\nhave become art works that many people like to collect.<\/p>\n
We can now see various forms and styles of earthenware
\nproducts in Kasongan village, from small wedding presents to
\nlife-size statues of animals and dancers. The creative process in
\nKasongan continues with the passing of time. A number of motifs
\nhave been adopted from the Asmat in Irian Jaya and Dayak,
\nBalinese and Chinese ceramics.<\/p>\n
In the Kasongan handicraft industry area the majority of
\ninhabitants are involved in earthenware production. There are no
\nfewer than 338 traders with showrooms and 1,500 have become
\nearthenware craftsmen. Some residents, though, continue to
\nproduce traditional earthenware and, riding a bicycle, they hawk
\ntheir own products from village to village.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kasongan-earthenware-center-survives-crisis-1447893297",
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