Seasonal
\ntrumpet vendors enjoy robust
\nbusiness ahead of New Year<\/p>\n
Trumpet vendors enjoy robust business<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Blowing trumpets loudly and making a huge din has become a
\ntradition in celebrating the New Year. A trumpet is a must at
\nalmost all New Year's Eve celebrations here. Without the
\nearsplitting noise, the celebration would be less meaningful,
\nsome people say.<\/p>\n
Others say that buying trumpets to celebrate for New Year is
\njust as wasteful as the celebration itself. They say that New
\nYear's Eve parties with all their glitter and sparkle are just a
\nwaste of time and money.<\/p>\n
However, what party poopers consider wasteful is a blessing
\nfor others.<\/p>\n
About two weeks prior to New Year's Eve, seasonal trumpet
\nvendors spring up all over the city here.<\/p>\n
Despite the tight competition among vendors, more people are
\ntrying their luck in the business, according to a trumpet vendor
\non Jl. Prapanca, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"The number of trumpet vendors has increased rapidly this
\nyear. I think it is related to the large number of unemployed
\npeople currently,\" said Namat, who has been a seasonal trumpet
\nhawker since 1973.<\/p>\n
However, Namat does not feel threatened as he always makes
\ndifferent shapes of trumpets from those of his colleagues. At his
\ntemporary stall, he displays a wide variety of paper wind
\ninstruments, from the traditional trumpets to saxophones.<\/p>\n
This year, the creative vendor, who claims to the first to
\nmake paper saxophones, started to make his merchandise four
\nmonths ago. He used Rp 4 million as capital.<\/p>\n
Namat made 1,100 wind instruments, a sharp increase from last
\nyear's 200 pieces. There are still 250 left, but Namat is
\noptimistic that he will be able to sell them all.<\/p>\n
\"Jakartans always celebrate New Year's Eve by blowing
\ntrumpets, either at private parties or at Monas (National
\nMonument) park,\" said Namat, who drives a public bus on other
\ndays.<\/p>\n
According to Namat, some of his customers are party organizers
\nwhile others are individuals. An individual would buy no more
\nthan 10 pieces, but a party organizer could buy up to 100 pieces.<\/p>\n
One of his customers, Hans Dieter, told The Jakarta Post that
\nhe bought trumpets as he would hold a New Year's Eve party in his
\nhouse in Pejaten area, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"No (New Year) party without trumpets,\" he said, adding that
\nhe bought 10 pipe instruments of different shapes because \"I need
\nsomething new\".<\/p>\n
Price, therefore, was not a big deal for Dieter. Perhaps, that
\nis why Namat's customers are mostly foreigners.<\/p>\n
Namat sells his merchandise at between Rp 7,000 and Rp 100,000
\na piece.<\/p>\n
Another vendor near Plaza Senayan, Central Jakarta, Budiman,
\nsells his trumpets for between Rp 5,000 and Rp 20,000 each.<\/p>\n
He came here from his hometown in Pandeglang, West Java, two
\nweeks ago to sell the trumpets, which were made by his neighbors.
\nHere he stays at a relative's house in Pejompongan, Central
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
He said that as of Wednesday, he had sold 150 trumpets, or
\nhalf of all trumpets he brought.<\/p>\n
\"Business is good this year, I think I could get Rp 2 million
\nbefore New Year's Eve,\" Budiman said proudly.<\/p>\n
Last year he ran his business in Kapuk, North Jakarta, and was
\nable to sell some 100 trumpets.<\/p>\n
As for Namat, he hoped to gain about Rp 3 million in profit.<\/p>\n
\"Well, it is our time to get a windfall. I think we deserve it
\nas it only happens once a year,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He enlisted the help of at least 10 people, including his wife
\nand four children, for the business this year. He had asked his
\nnephew and neighbors to help him to make and sell the trumpets,
\nand paid them between Rp 100,000 and Rp 300,000 each.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/seasonal-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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