Bali: One-stop shopping center for handicrafts

Rita A. Widiadana The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali

Like all aspects of Balinese life, the intricately carved wooden sculptures, bamboo basketwork, silver and gold jewelry, and textiles are linked to religious and traditional beliefs on the island.

The Balinese use basketwork, finely crafted from bamboo, rattan or pandanus leaves, for every occasion. Silver and gold items are made especially for cultural ceremonies.

Inspiration for Balinese sculptures in the form of human and animal is mostly drawn from the Megalithic period and post-Hindu- Buddhist eras. They also have Indian and Chinese influences. Woodcarving was traditionally the exclusive domain of the powerful clan of Brahmana, the high priest caste.

But as the island became flooded with millions of domestic and foreign visitors, new and bigger market opportunities opened up for the once sacred items to be developed with nonreligious themes.

Since the early l970s, handicrafts have become a multimillion dollar enterprise for artisans and businesspeople on Bali. Export earnings from handicraft exports continue to increase. In the first semester of this year alone, Bali earned US$84.49 million from handicraft exports, an approximate 25 percent increase from the same period last year.

Hormidas Lomi, an executive of Plaza Bali duty free shop and large-scale handicrafts seller, said the handicraft business in Bali remained lucrative.

Hundreds of art shops offer a vast array of handicrafts along the narrow streets of Sanur, Kuta, Legian and Nusa Dua.

In the past, handicrafts were regarded as cheap souvenirs made by local artisans. Now, they are attractively displayed in affluent galleries, department stores, supermarkets and duty free shops. Most of the displayed items are fresh and innovative art creations made of natural materials such as wood, bamboo, rattan, dried leaves, banana tree bark, spices, water hyacinth and recycled paper. Also available are candles, incense products and giftware.

"I am optimistic that the handicraft sector will flourish provided that we keep monitoring the trend and demands and penetrate new markets," he said.

For Bali, handicrafts remain the island's export prima donna. All materials can be sourced locally, and handicrafts are made by competent artisans who are supported by large-scale companies acting as marketing and design development agencies.

"Because of high demand from domestic and overseas markets, handicrafts sell extremely well," Hormidas said.

He said the deluge of handicrafts from across Indonesia would not affect Balinese products. "Each handicraft has its own characteristics and designs specific to the arts and culture of its producing area."

A number of companies act as "foster parent" to artisans from Bali, Yogyakarta, Lombok, Surabaya and other provinces.

Handicraft producers outside Bali find the island an excellent marketing center for their products.

Niniek Soemaryati, a marketing staff member from Bali Celadon, said her company, based in Mojokerto, East Java, opened an outlet in Bali in January 2001. The company produces handmade ceramic products for household use and souvenirs.

Bali Celadon, a supplier of Hallmarks cards and gifts, sells retail items in its Bali showroom. "We now have a number of regular buyers and foreign guests coming to our showroom. Business seems to be growing steadily," she said optimistically.

Pottery from neighboring Lombok, primitive art producing companies from East Nusa Tenggara province, Kalimantan and Papua have also opened showrooms along Jl. I Gusti Ngurah Rai (the Sanur-Nusa Dua bypass), and along streets in Kuta and Legian as well as in Nusa Dua.

People from around the world come to Bali to see its beauty and experience its culture. "The market is here and we have to immediately capture it, otherwise we would miss the opportunity," added Niniek.

Although all kinds of handicrafts can easily be found in Bali's major tourist centers, visitors like visiting handicraft- producing villages around Bali. In these villages, visitors watch artisans at work on their creations and, more importantly, they can buy handicrafts at lower prices.

Celuk in Batubulan, Gianyar, 26 kilometers northwest of Denpasar, is a major gold and silver jewelry center. Previously, only artisans from the Pande Caste (Blacksmith) were allowed to produce metalwork.

This centuries-old silver and gold craftsmanship is reflected in the array of jewelry and other items found in Celuk today. The designs vary from the traditional to more classy and contemporary designs intended for overseas markets. Among the best producers are Suarti Collection and Runa Jewelry.

Heading north to Gianyar, visitors may pass the famous traditional art market on both sides of the road in Sukawati.

The market sells a vast array of goods, such as Balinese songket cloth, woven textiles, handicrafts, woodcarvings, basketwork, dance costumes and ceremonial items at bargain prices. If time is not a problem, visitors can look for favorite items at the half price of those sold in Kuta or Sanur.

Next to Sukawati, a stop in Ubud and Batuan villages is worthwhile. The villages became renowned in the 1930s as centers for paintings and woodcarvings. Local art shops sell a range of items, from mass-produced woodcarvings to high-quality, handmade items made by recognized masters in fine-grained ebony, jackfruit or sandalwood.

Batuan and Ubud have developed into upscale art markets for deep-pocketed visitors with high appreciation for art.

Bali is transforming into a shopper's paradise where high- quality handicrafts are available from all over the country.