Examining the Half-Century-Old Smoked Catfish Village in Kulon Progo
Padukuhan Jati in Kalurahan Banaran, Kulon Progo Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, is being developed as a tourism village serving as a centre for smoked catfish. Enduring since 1970, the smoked catfish artisans in Jati still employ traditional methods using coconut shells and husks.
Wafts of smoke carrying the aroma of grilled fish have become a daily sight in Padukuhan Jati, Kalurahan Banaran, Kulon Progo Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta.
The serene atmosphere of this hamlet, abundant with coconut trees, serves as a hub for traditional cuisine where eight smoked catfish producers persist against the tides of time.
In Padukuhan Jati, the traditional processing of smoked catfish has existed since 1970. The head of Padukuhan Jati, Dedi Tri Hernawan, states that the processing in his area still relies on coconut shells and husks, resulting in a distinctive flavour.
In a single day, one smoked catfish artisan in this hamlet can process 60 to 70 kilograms of catfish. Nearly all of the smoked catfish production from Padukuhan Jati is marketed in Bantul Regency.
Dedi Tri Hernawan - Head of Padukuhan Jati
(00:00 – 00:10)
“…our products include first mangut lele, and second, smoked catfish. The smoked catfish can then be cooked into mangut lele…”
Supoyo - Smoked Catfish Producer
(00:11 – 00:32)
“…one skewer I sell for 12 thousand, 10 thousand. I’ve been selling this for a long time, since around ’95, ’94, it’s been a while, my main job is selling smoked catfish and mangut…”
To establish smoked catfish as a flagship product and regional identity, the Kulon Progo Regency government is preparing the concept of a Smoked Catfish Village for community empowerment and tourism appeal.
Wakhid Purwosubiyantara – Head of Processing and Marketing of Fishery Products, Kulon Progo Marine and Fisheries Office
(00:33 – 01:05)
“…with the various potentials in Kulon Progo, especially smoked catfish, we want to elevate them all into a multiplier effect. Not only will smoked catfish sell, but how the younger generation loves tradition, how it becomes support for tourism… so processing catfish traditionally becomes one of the attractions…”
This initiative for the Smoked Catfish Village is further strengthened by the submission of a Geographical Indication (I-G) through the Regional Office of the Ministry of Law by the Kulon Progo Marine and Fisheries Office.
From Kulon Progo, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Imam Prasetyo, ANTARA News Agency, reporting.