Horrible 'enceng gondok' proves its usefulness
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Most people regard the water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes), locally known as enceng gondok, as a horrible water plant that spreads throughout a lake, destroying its ecosystem.
In skilled hands, however, this ugly plant can be used to create beautiful, artistic works. It could even possibly become a gold mine.
Nowadays, enceng gondok handicraft can be found easily. Creative craftsmen use the water plant to make fancy baggage, slippers, furniture and even clothes. You name it.
A staff member at a handicraft boutique in Kemang, South Jakarta, said demand for enceng gondok handicrafts was high.
"Modern people tend to get back to nature. Therefore, we create handicraft items to fulfill the demand. We use enceng gondok as the main material," said Nani.
The boutique displays many kinds of handicraft, such as vases, baggage, slippers and clothes made from enceng gondok. Nani said the handicrafts were made in Cirebon, West Java and Yogyakarta.
"We make the designs only but we always control the quality," she said.
There are also handicrafts made from coarse grass. The price starts from Rp 25,000 (US$2.85) for a vase up to more than Rp 1 million for a enceng gondok dress.
The boutique sells more than 20 pieces of enceng gondok handicraft a week.
A furniture store in Blok M, also in South Jakarta, displays nice chairs, tables and drawers made from enceng gondok.
"We use enceng gondok because its fiber is strong, moldable and long lasting. We can create modern furniture with a natural touch using this plant," Suhendi, the store manager, said.
Customers, especially foreigners, love furniture made of enceng gondok because of its natural look, he said.
The store sells up to three sets of enceng gondok furniture each week. A chair sells for Rp 250,000, a table at Rp 400,000 and a drawer at Rp 300,000.
Reina Mestikawati, a consumer, admitted that enceng gondok handicrafts attracted her due to its natural look.
"I like natural materials such as this enceng gondok bag because it's harmless to our environment. Besides, it looks good and is quite exclusive at an affordable price," the employee of a private company said.