Bali Regional Craft Council Seeks Solutions for Endek Weaver Regeneration
Badung (ANTARA) - The Bali Regional National Craft Council (Dekranasda) is searching for strategic solutions to address the phenomenon where high public interest in woven fabrics is disproportionate to the dwindling number of artisans.
“People praise Endek (Balinese weaving), but weavers have even suggested that I establish a weaving school, because young people are so reluctant to take up weaving,” said the Chairperson of Dekranasda Bali, Putri Suastini Koster, in Badung Regency on Friday.
As part of the resolution efforts, the council emphasised the importance of maintaining a balanced craft ecosystem from upstream to downstream to ensure that ancestral heritage is preserved.
“Therefore, when the downstream demand is elevated, the upstream and midstream processes must be protected. We must not stray from the corridor, otherwise, we risk losing our ancestral heritage,” she said.
Dekranasda and the Bali Provincial Government are aware that many Endek traders in Bali have been ordering their works from Troso, Central Java, for almost 25 years, meaning the production process has been taken over by others.
Putri Koster stated that the impact of this phenomenon is that young people at the grassroots level are unwilling to continue their parents’ profession due to the reality of the artisans’ lack of prosperity.
In her view, to respond to these various obstacles, strict supervision and the enforcement of legal regulations and copyrights are essential to protect the original works of the artisans.
“If there are violations of intellectual property or copyright, there must be punishment and sanctions,” she said.
Additionally, another concrete solution offered is to create a dedicated platform for weavers so they can return to their craft and market their products with peace of mind.
To ensure macro-economic sustainability and address marketing issues, she also proposed the idea of developing Bali into a national distribution centre.
The top official of the Bali Provincial Government sees potential for Bali to become a primary hub for the sale of national fabrics and craftworks from all regions, leveraging Bali’s existing tourist market.
With this approach, artisans from other regions would not need to seek customers from other areas simply because demand is high; they could focus on their best works and innovations, which could then be sold in Bali.
General Manager of Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, Luis Daniel Garcia, stated that the event was presented as a reflection of stories, traditions, extraordinary craftsmanship, and cultural identity.
“Through the creativity of our designers, we hope to see how this heritage continues to evolve while remaining rooted in our culture,” said Luis.
The series of lively events successfully attracted visitor enthusiasm through fashion shows, workshops, and exhibitions of traditional textile products.