Javanese Blangkon Remains Alive Amidst Changing Times with PNM Mekaar
A blangkon may appear to be just a head covering. However, in the hands of Tri Damayanti and her husband, every strand of fabric shaped and arranged holds a longer story: one of inherited skill, a business that sustains a family, and a Javanese culture striving to endure amidst changing times.
For Tri’s family, the blangkon is more than just a craft. Behind its production process, there is a family kitchen that must remain active. Therefore, keeping the business running means more than just maintaining production; there are challenges in keeping the product recognised, reaching wider markets, and ensuring the skill of making blangons retains its economic value.
Tri’s journey eventually led her to PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (Persero). Since becoming a client in 2023, Tri has gained access to financing that helped her meet raw material needs. However, business strengthening did not stop at capital alone.
Through empowerment activities, PNM also provided knowledge and mentoring to help Tri develop ways to market her products. Consequently, social media began to be utilised as a new space to introduce the blangkon to more people.
“I am grateful to PNM for providing training and mentoring that has been very beneficial to my business. Through this training and guidance, I can market my products via social media so that my products become more widely known,” said Tri.
The changes experienced by Tri illustrate that the strengthening of ultra-micro enterprises does not end once capital is received. There is knowledge that needs to be built, the courage to try new methods, and the opportunity to expand markets. It is at this point that empowerment becomes a vital part of a business journey.
PNM President Director, Kindaris, stated that PNM strives to open access while simultaneously creating opportunities so that underprivileged communities can develop their existing potential. According to him, financing serves as the entry point, while empowerment helps clients gain the ability to continue growing.
“Opening access is not just about providing financing. We want to open opportunities so that every client can learn, develop their business, and become more confident in their potential. Therefore, we present financing and empowerment side-by-side, so that the businesses being run do not just survive, but have the space to continue growing,” said Kindaris.
This approach is crucial for businesses like the one run by Tri. Because when a traditional business has the space to expand, it is not only the family economy that grows, but also the opportunity for local skills and products to find their place amidst changing times.
“I hope this mentoring continues so that we, as clients, can continue to develop, become more confident, be able to expand our businesses, and improve our family’s economy,” she added.
From a small business home in Pracimantoro, these blangkons continue to be handmade. Every order represents more than just income for Tri’s family; it is part of the journey of a traditional skill finding its place amidst a constantly changing generation.