Independence Day benefits palm sellers
Independence Day benefits palm sellers
Rizky KD Ntoma, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
For Andhika, the upcoming Independence Day celebrations will mean
competitions. But unlike in previous years, where he took part in
a sack race, this time he only wants to participate in panjat
pinang (betel palm tree climbing), a competition that is held
only to celebrate the country's big day.
"There was a bike on the tree last year. I want to win the
prize too. Is there a TV?" the boy, who lives in Tangerang, asked
his mother.
But she told him that it would not be easy for a five-year-old
boy as the tree is usually smeared with lubricant, making it very
slippery and difficult, even for adults, to reach the top.
Not to mention that the tree used for such a climb must be at
least seven meters high, with a diameter of 13 centimeters.
Buying the tree last week was expensive, as many neighborhoods
will stage such a competition to commemorate the country's 58th
Independence Day.
Take a look, for example, at Yayan, a betel palm tree vendor
on Jl. Arteri Pondok Indah, South Jakarta.
He buys trees for at least Rp 75,000 (US$8.70) each, depending
on their height.
After the trunks are smoothed down for two hours -- Yayan
usually carries out the process from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. with the
help of friends -- the trees are ready for sale.
He sells each tree at Rp 200,000 to Rp 350,000, depending on
its height.
"Buyers can still bargain. Sometimes I offer a discount if
they buy more than one tree," Yayan said, adding that there would
be no additional charge for transporting the tree by pickup if
the location were nearby.
Yayan said that so far he had received orders from customers
in Palmerah, Simprug and Cipulir, all in South Jakarta.
"My target is to sell 40 trees but I don't know if I'll sell
them all. People started to buy the trees a week prior to the
celebration. I already have people booking the trees from
Bintaro, Permata Hijau and even Cisarua, Bogor," he said.
Entering the betel palm tree business is not at all easy, as
trees needs at least seven years to reach a height sufficient for
climbing competitions.
"The older the trees become, the higher they get and the more
suitable they are for climbing. It's not really that easy to take
care of them," said the man who started the business in 1997.
Fendy, another vendor in Pasar Jumat, South Jakarta, sells the
trees at Rp 300,000 to Rp 400,000.
"The price depends on the tree's height and diameter. This
year I plan to sell only 20 trees, fewer than last year's 30. I
don't want to be too ambitious, as there are now more competitors
in the business," said Fendy, who started out three years ago.
Both Yayan and Fendy bought the trees in Bogor.
Unlike Yayan, who was willing to reveal the price at which he
bought the trees from farmers, Fendy was tight-lipped about it.
As Independence Day is only a day away, people in
neighborhoods have geared up for the celebration and some have
already erected their trees. Children like Andhika will try hard
to reach the top of the greasy trunk for those highly sought-
after prizes.