Smell something good? It's in the bag ...

By Agus R. Bakti

YOGYAKARTA (JP): What smells good and can carry something? Nyomo Setyo, a handicraft trader here, knows the answer well: It's a bag made from a plant called akar wangi (fragrant root).

This plant, also known as larasetu (vetiveria zizaniodes), belongs to the species of grass gramineae. The term "fragrant root" fits because the root of this plant is indeed fragrant.

Aside from providing fragrance, which can be obtained through a distillation process, the root of this plant can also be woven, just like thread, into textile, from which various handicrafts with a high economic value can be made.

Nyomo Setyo sells many kinds of handicrafts made from this plant, such as fans, pillow cases, curtains, table cloths, coasters, telephone bases and other items for souvenirs.

"The root is woven just like weaving thread into textile," he said.

According to him, people more often utilize the root of this plant for its fragrance. You can use a distillation process to obtain the fragrance or, perhaps, you can simply put the root somewhere in your room or in your clothes.

Originally, the root of larasetu is about 30 centimeters long, but can be split into several parts and when woven it can become very long, Nyomo said. He hires some weavers to do the job, using non-mechanical instruments.

"I have tried to do the weaving but the result is far from good as I cannot get the woven root straight. The weavers can produce good results because they are experienced," he said at his house, which is also his workshop, on Jl. Palagan Tentara Pelajar, Yogyakarta.

He himself devises the designs and makes various handicraft articles out of the woven textile of the fragrant roots.

The supply of the larasetu root is obtained from the plant's growers in Semin village, Gunung Kidul regency, Yogyakarta. A kilogram of the root costs between Rp 15,000 and Rp 20,000.

Nyomo began this business by a fluke. Back in 1997, there was an exhibition at the Hyatt Hotel in Yogyakarta, then his work place. His recycled paper handicrafts were exhibited there and attracted the attention of an American, who placed an order. To be able to meet the order, he decided to give up his job at the hotel. His initial capital was what remained of his salary.

After spending some time making handicrafts from recycled paper, he then decided to try his hands at fragrant roots, which was the right choice as they became popular among foreign buyers.

As for the price, he said that this would depend on the kind of goods and the size. Pillow cases, for example, cost Rp 13,000 and up and lampshades are available at Rp 65,000 each.

At present there are eight permanent employees but if there are a lot of orders he will recruit some of his neighbors to help as freelance assistants.

Nyomo is also lucky because the hotel where he used to work allotted him a special counter where his handicrafts are displayed. To popularize his products, Nyomo has taken part in a number of exhibitions.

Today, Nyomo enjoys a monthly turnover of about Rp 12 million. He regularly meets orders placed by buyers from France, Italy, the United States and Spain.

A vacuum cleaner or water can be used to clean the handicrafts. Genuine fragrant roots will remain fragrant even when exposed to water.

"The fragrance will reappear when the handicrafts become dry again," he said.

He said it was often the case that fragrant roots which went through the distillation process were resold. These roots lost their fragrance once exposed to water. Therefore, buyers could be easily cheated if they were not careful enough.

When asked if woven fragrant roots could be made into a dress, he said that in theory they could, but added that he had never tried to make one.