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.