JP/18/LAYANG

Indonesian kites becoming more attractive

Bambang Parlupi Jakarta

Flying kites as a hobby has been developing rapidly in Indonesia, with various types and motifs now appearing to add more color to this outdoor pursuit and its changing functions.

Historically, kites were first known in human civilization around 3,000 years ago in China. From there, kites began to spread to the other Asian regions like Korea, Japan, the Malay archipelago and India. In Europe, the ancient Greeks were the first to develop the airborne toys.

According to the book Making Kites written by Rhoda Baker and Miles Denger, the word "kite" is derived from the name of a magnificent and graceful bird of prey. Kites have been used by different nations to serve various functions since antiquity.

Chinese traditional communities, for instance, fly butterfly and bird kites for religious ceremonies. In Korea, there is the unique tradition of writing a newborn baby's name on a kite, which is then flown and left gliding in the air. Some Koreans believe that the released kite will rid the infant of evil spirits and their influence.

Some Japanese use the airborne "puppets" as a means of enlivening social celebrations. At such festivals, people join hands to fly very large, long kites. In 169 BC, a general in China was said to have boarded a giant kite to observe enemy maneuvers. "In ancient times, kites already supported the war machine," said Indonesian kite enthusiast Zaenal Effendi.

The function of kites has also developed in several areas in the country. In Javanese villages, kites are employed to drive away insects and wild birds in paddy fields. More uniquely, fishermen in Lampung use traditional kites for fishing.

The flying of kites as a spiritual gesture has become a custom of Bali's predominantly Hindu people to express gratitude to God for soil fertility.

Zaenal, nicknamed Eddie, claims that the history of kites began in Indonesia. The man, now in his sixties, who once entered national and international kite festivals, said Indonesia's ancient men used kites extensively. "In the interior of Sulawesi, primitive paintings depicting people playing with airborne puppets were discovered on cave walls. They are estimated to date from over 3,000 years ago -- before China's kites," he indicated.

Museum already established

Some blame kites for spoiling the landscape around kite playgrounds. In the kite-flying season, usually coinciding with school vacations, state electricity company PLN and telecommunications corporation Telkom often gets complaints about power line and network trouble. Kite frames and strings become entangled in cables and disturb power or telephone installations. "Therefore, So we want to change the bad image of kites and make them part of the nation's art and culture," Eddie assured.

Meanwhile, in order to maintain kite development as a leisure activity, a center for the safekeeping and display of a wide range of kites from all over the country has been established. Named the Indonesian Museum of Kites, it is the only museum of its the kind ever set up in Indonesia, which has been open to the public since March 21, 2003.

So far it has collected more than 350 kites from different parts of this country, as well as other countries. Its founder, art patron Endang W. Puspoyo, also known as a beautician, has been active in the kite-lovers community since 1989. Her great interest in this pursuit was manifested in the opening of the kite museum, with the noble aim of safeguarding this distinctive aspect of Indonesian culture, while also providing an educational and scientific tourist attraction.

An array of kites in a variety of forms and designs are neatly arranged in one of South Jakarta's tourist spots. Its rare collection includes the smallest kite, whole-leaf kites and decades-old, yet well preserved ones.

Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Fridays, the museum has a collection from virtually the entire country, besides some foreign items. Visitors need only to buy entry tickets worth Rp 5,000 per person.

Kite-making skills

The 3,000 square meter building has workshop rooms where brief kite-making classes are provided. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, visitors can try to build kites by simple methods.

Not surprisingly, the museum's guests comprise children, teenagers and adults. "Visitors in groups are taught how to construct kites after observing the kite varieties on display," said Nia, a museum staffer. The course taken by kindergarten children or first- and second-graders, however, instructs them only in creative skills like coloring techniques and paper- folding to create kite forms.

Primary school students from third to sixth grades, according to Nia, are taught how to make kites in their popular diamond form, while being also introduced to a variety of other traditional shapes. Junior and senior high school students are instructed in kite-building techniques, including measurement, balance calculation and assembly.

For material cost reimbursement, participants only have to pay Rp 200,000 for 20 children and three attendants, as against Rp 250,000 for 20 students of third to sixth grades. In addition, the museum's instructors are frequently invited to various events to introduce kite-making knowhow, such as birthday parties, family receptions and short school courses.

Its popularity among educational circles has prompted some local and foreign schools to make the museum a place of study, creativity, practice and recreation. Its hundreds of daily visitors include students from several international schools like the Jakarta International School, British International School and Australian International School, which have sought to learn how to build Indonesian kites, knowledge that was in danger of being lost forever.

in box: Indonesian Kite Museum Jl.Haji Kamang No. 38 Pondok Labu Jakarta Selatan 12450

tel. 7658075, fax. 7505112 website: www.merindokites.com

(no need to check this): Photo captions 1. Most children have a keen interest in kites. The kite-flying season in Indonesia usually coincides with school vacations. 2. A large kite in the form of a shadow-puppet figure, collected by the Indonesian Museum of Kites. 3. Some kiosks near the museum sell kites to visitors. 4. Kite-making classes draw groups of visitors. 5. A fish-shaped kite from parachute cloth hangs at the museum counter. 6. Kite developments are inspired by current trends in the world of children. Kites sold around the National Monument take the form of the cartoon character SpongeBob.