The Story of Palm Leaf Weavers in Ketupat Village, Bogor: Earning Rp 4,000 per 100 Ketupat

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Bogor City traffic, a group of residents in Kebon Danas village, Cimahpar, North Bogor, engage in activities far removed from the noise of the main roads.

In this village, residents carefully weave palm leaves from green coconut fronds into ketupat casings—one of the dishes synonymous with Eid celebrations.

Whilst weaving, residents often chat about daily life, sharing stories and solutions to problems they face. This activity occurs almost incessantly, with piles of ketupat casings accumulating every hour.

Kebon Danas village is known as “Ketupat Village” because most of its residents depend on making ketupat casings to earn a living whilst helping the community prepare Eid dishes.

Mumun, 57, one of the ketupat casing artisans in the village, admits she has been engaged in this work since primary school. “Since fourth grade primary school, it has been a long time,” Mumun told Kompas.com in Cimahpar on Friday, 13 March 2026.

In a single day, Mumun can produce around 500 ketupat casings. She typically starts working in the morning. She does not work alone. Wawa, 49, accompanies Mumun in weaving palm leaves in a simple bamboo shelter.

“I started making them in primary school too, taught by Mumun,” Wawa said when met by Kompas.com.

In one day, Wawa can also produce around 500 ketupat casings. “From morning until 22.00 (10 pm), I can make 500, and then continue the next morning. After that I rest, and the next day I make more,” she added.

According to Mumun, the coconut leaves they use come from a collector or “boss” who employs them. “From the boss, we are considered ketupat workers; the coconut leaves are the green ones,” Mumun said.

If sales from the collector decline, artisans like Mumun may not receive work.