Sleman regency: A paradise for handicraft aficionados
Sleman regency: A paradise for handicraft aficionados
Next to scenic beauty and cultural heritage, another feature
that sets a tourist resort apart from other holiday destinations
is its specific products.
When one mentions Kotagede -- an ancient town in Yogyakarta
province -- its beautiful silverware instantly comes to mind.
Meanwhile, Kasongan, a village in Bantul regency, immediately
conjures images of its unique earthenware.
What about handicrafts? Where should one go to find some of
the world's most artistic handicrafts?
The answer is Sleman regency.
Apart from being a treasure trove of Java's cultural heritage
set in the panoramic countryside, Sleman's mostly agrarian
residents are also famous for the enchanting handicrafts they
make from various indigenous plants, such as water hyacinths and
bamboo, as well as the skin from stingrays. Exquisite ceramic
handicrafts are also available. Sleman also boasts delicious
snacks that can be purchased as gifts or memories of an enjoyable
trip to the regency. The good news is all of these items are
reasonably priced.
Some 3,302 handicraft production centers are spread throughout
the entire Sleman regency as follows:
* Sendari, Tirtoadi and Mlati villages for bamboo furniture
* Gamplong, Sangubanyu, Sumberahayu and Moyudan villages for
handwoven products
* Kaliurang and Pakem villages for handicrafts made with a lathe
and products made from cocoons
* Malangan, Sumberagung, Moyudan, Brajan, Sendangagung and
Minggir villages for bamboo handicrafts
* Sendangrejo and Minggir villages for plaited handicrafts made
from natural fibers and various indigenous plants, such as water
hyacinth, pandanus and the like
* Jurugsari, Condongcatur, Depok for handicrafts made from the
skin of stingrays
* Nogotirto village for ceramics and earthenware
* Gamping -- at Jl. Wates 5 -- for fiberglass handicrafts
Although the handicrafts are produced manually, the regency is
home to a number of mid-scale companies with a relatively large
production capacity. The companies producing bags are: PT Bhumi
Prama Cipta at Nogotirto village, Gamping subdistrict; PT Duta
Pratama at Gesikan Sidoarum village, Godean subdistrict; PT
Arindha at Sariharjo village, Ngaglik subdistrict; PT Stupa
Rekacipta at Jl. Ringroad Barat 88, Salakan village, Gamping
subdistrict; while PT Merapi Handicraft produces various types of
handicrafts.
Sleman's handicrafts are of a superior quality and highly
artistic because they are made from environmentally friendly and
natural materials. As Nugroho, the manager of Stupa Rekacipta,
said, these products are in tune with today's "back-to-nature"
trend.
Sleman also has an institute for learning arts and crafts: The
Vocational Education Development Center of Arts and Crafts
(VEDAC), which is located at Jl. Kaliurang km 13.8 (telephone:
0274-895803/895804 or fax: 0274-895804. E-mail address:
info@vedac.org). On its website (http://www.vedac.com) it claims
to be a superior and outstanding center for training development
in arts and crafts.
The center also provides package tours that include training
activities in making handicrafts and art, including fine arts and
design, wood carvings, textiles, metal, leather, ceramics,
theater, music and dance. Here visitors can drop in to watch the
process of making handicrafts and the arts as well.
Not only is it rich in ancient tradition, the Sleman regency
is well-equipped with modern facilities, such as roads,
electricity and telecommunications.
For more information please contact the investment division of
the Sleman regency economy office at 0274-868405 (extension 273)
or 0274-885559 or e-mail us at investasi@sleman.co.id or browse
our website at http://www.sleman.co.id.
Photo caption:
A sampling of Sleman regency's artistic handicrafts made from
bamboo.