Barren region has white stone potential

By R. Agus Bakti

GUNUNG KIDUL, Yogyakarta (JP): People refer to the Gunung Kidul regency in Yogyakarta as a barren region. In the dry season it is hard to find water in the area.

On the other hand the region has a potential rarely found in other regions: the mining of white stone. The products are even exported, especially material from the Semin and Semanu areas.

When asked about white stone, craftsman Sugeng, who lives in Semanu, said: "In our region there are a lot of potentials that can be exploited."

White stone is exploited to raise the living standards of the local population.

According to Sugeng, white stone is a typical product of mining in Gunung Kidul. What is the stone used for?

Many products can be made from white stone. In the beginning its use was limited to floor tile production.

However, thanks to their dedication and determination, locals have continued to create new products out of the material. The stone is made into art handicrafts by carving and chiseling.

The carving of white stone reminds us of the stone craftsmen in Prumpung, Muntilan, Central Java. The difference is in the material used by the workers. They use andesite from Mount Merapi.

Sugeng, who did not finish high school, explained that before the stone is transported to Semanu, it is quarried in the Semin area. At Semin, the stones are still found in their chunk-sized pieces. The stones are carried by truck to his house on Jl. Wonosari, Semanu.

In his house the white stone is transformed into various products. The tools and instruments range from the simple to the modern machines which are used to create tiles.

Sugeng does not carry all the work out by himself. His business, which is called Alam Sejahtera (prosperous nature), is managed together with relatives Heri Dwi Wahyudi and Agus Wibowo.

The activity provides work for other people. "The important thing for me is that it does not provide an income for myself alone," said Sugeng, adding that he employed 10 workers. Some of them cut stones, while others chisel out the form.

Gamelan

An observer of these craftsmen cannot but be touched by the fervent spirit of creativity. The workers make gamelan instruments like the saron (metallophone instrument) and the kendhang (small drum) from white stone. A gamelan set made from white stone is popular with Dutch people.

Although the gamelan instruments are not for playing music, they serve as beautiful decorative items in the house. They can also become a decorative part of a garden.

Ten days are needed to produce a statue. Although, depending on the size of the work, it can take longer. Floor tiles need less time because a machine is used. More time is spent making a gamelan instrument or a statue because carving by hand is involved. In addition, an element of feeling is also important to obtain better results.

The white stone can also serve to decorate a garden. It can be made into pots. These pots look natural. Some of them are shaped like mushrooms and flowers. Others are hung with wire. Garden lamps are also often made of white stone.

The potential of white stone has attracted the attention of the regional government, especially the Trade and Industry agency. This agency has introduced activities and courses for young people. It has provided aid in the form of stone chisels and machine saws to split stones.

Gari village, also in the Gunung Kidul region, has white stone craftspeople working at Gondang and Gatak.

As for mining, apart from Semin, the area around the Oya river has also the potential for building materials like sand and black coral stones.

White stone is also popular because it makes a room cool. If an air-conditioner is switched off after use, a wall in a room inlaid with white stone absorbs the cool air for a longer time than walls made of other material.

Sugeng said that in his white stone business he has experienced ups and downs, mainly in marketing.

"I have often received orders from Jakarta for floor tiles. I once worked on a project in Bintaro Jaya (South Jakarta)," he said.

The price depends on the type and size of the product. Floor tiles measuring 30 cms by 30 cms with a thickness of 3 cms cost Rp 1,000 each. A gamelan instrument made of white stone fetches a price of about Rp 100,000.

All the white stone products cannot be separated from the design factor. The design precedes the shaping of the products.

Sugeng and his friends do not always create their own designs. Designs are sometimes ordered by the buyer. "Making products from white stone is a creative process. That is the requirement for progress in the business," he said.

Although there were difficult marketing times during the monetary crisis, Sugeng continued to produce work and is optimistic about the future of his business.

He said, "Where there is enough effort, there will be a way. Reliance on diplomas only will not lead to success." Sugeng has shown this by his achievements in white stone production.

Sugeng responds favorably to working with other people in other regions, especially in marketing. He is also willing to cooperate with exporters to develop the potential of white stone. Some people may feel attracted by Sugeng's offer!