Klaten umbrella makers face bleak future<\/p>\n
By Kartika Bagus C.<\/p>\n
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): An umbrella is usually used to
\nprotect oneself from the rain or the scorching sun, but the ones
\nproduced in Gumantar village in Klaten, Central Java are
\ndifferent.<\/p>\n
Although umbrellas from the village, which is located about 45
\nminutes east of Yogyakarta, still provide protection against the
\nsun on a hot day, you can't use them into the rain as they are
\nmade from paper.<\/p>\n
These unique umbrellas mostly serve decorative purposes at
\ncertain events, such as Javanese wedding ceremonies. They are
\nalso used as accessories during dance performances, as lamp
\nshades, or as household decorations.<\/p>\n
Sunaryo, one of the umbrella makers in the village, explained
\nthat in order to create an umbrella, one needs bamboo for its
\nframe. The bamboo is cut to about 40 cm in length and with a
\ndiameter of one centimeter.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the craftsman will need kenanga wood (Cangium
\nodoratum), for the tip of the umbrella; and melinjo wood (Gnetum
\ngnemon), for its handle.<\/p>\n
After the umbrella frame is ready, it is then covered with
\npaper from cement bags measuring 1.5 meters in length and 40 cm
\nin width. After the paper has been neatly glued to the umbrella's
\nframe, it is then painted in basic colors such as red, green and
\nwhite.<\/p>\n
After the paint has dried, it is carefully painted with
\ndecorative motifs, such as colorful flowers.<\/p>\n
The last phase in the production process is placing the
\numbrella in the sun to dry.<\/p>\n
According to Sunaryo, he usually produces three kinds of
\numbrella, from a small one measuring 20 cm in width, up to a
\nlarge one measuring 1.5 meters in width.<\/p>\n
Apart from creating normal umbrellas, he also crafts temple-
\nshaped umbrellas with each of them consisting of three or more
\nindividual umbrellas.<\/p>\n
An ordinary umbrella is sold for about Rp 10,000, while a
\ntemple-shaped umbrella is offered for between Rp 40,000 and Rp
\n60,000.<\/p>\n
\"Usually, my profit is half of the price. The most important
\nthing is I can earn a living for my family,\" said the father of
\nfour.<\/p>\n
However, he added that when the umbrellas reach the
\ndistributors' hands, they could be sold for two to three times
\nmore than the price he sets.<\/p>\n
In a week, Sunaryo, who does all the work by himself, usually
\nfinishes about 60 small- and medium-sized umbrellas. Once, he
\neven managed to finish 2,000 umbrellas in a month.<\/p>\n
\"But I don't want to spend all of my energy only to make
\nmoney, I just do what I can do,\" said the elementary school
\ngraduate.<\/p>\n
Compared to the other umbrellas produced in the village,
\nSunaryo's works are unique since the other villagers make their
\numbrellas from mori, a cotton fabric usually used to create
\nbatik. And the production process for umbrellas using mori is
\nmuch simpler and does not require too much time, he said.<\/p>\n
\"I have only continued in my parents' trade because none of my
\nsiblings want to,\" said the 40-year-old man, who has been in the
\nbusiness for 25 years.<\/p>\n
The umbrella business in the village was flourishing around
\n1963. Then, there was a company, Pindahan Eka, which was well-
\nknown for its umbrella production. However, the company went
\nbankrupt during political troubles of 1965.<\/p>\n
Sunaryo's umbrellas can be found in many places, mostly in
\nBali, Bandung, Jakarta, Surabaya and Yogyakarta, where he sells
\nmost of his creations. He also regularly supplies his products to
\ntraders in, among other places, Borobudur temple in Magelang,
\nCentral Java. He claims that he once exported some of his works
\nto Spain.<\/p>\n
Despite the ongoing production of paper umbrellas in Klaten,
\nSunaryo admits that their popularity has declined. A lack of
\npromotion and attention from the local government, he added,
\nmight further slow down the umbrella business, which has become
\nthe main source of income for most of the villagers.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/klaten-umbrella-makers-face-bleak-future-1447893297",
"image": ""
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