PAPUA PEGUNUNGAN – In order to enliven the 2024 National Children’s Day series in Jayapura, the National Crafts Council held a Consultation Forum for the Improvement of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and craft exhibitions from various districts or cities throughout Papua carried out by the Ministry of Investment.
In this event, the Provincial Government of Papua Mountains won the best first place for folk crafts in the form of rattan weaving from the people of Jayawijaya and Lanny Jaya, second place was won by the Provincial Government of Central Papua and third place by the Provincial Government of South Papua.
The award was given directly by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo to Dr. Mia Rumateray, the coach of the rattan weaving craftsmen.
On the occasion of the Chairperson of the Papua Mountains National Craft Council Mrs. Herwin Meiliantina Wanggai, explained the exhibition of this folk craft, woven rattan by the people of Lanny Jaya and Jayawijaya, with various forms of woven rattan with natural colors, “This work was made by the community, both small children, youth, fathers and mothers in several districts, in Lanny Jaya Regency, Tolikara Regency and Jayawijaya Regency,” said Mrs. Herwin.
In particular, the crafts featured have a community-made rustic theme:
- Salemo Village,
- Towoluk Village,
- Karu District Village,
- Poga Village, Lanny Jaya Regency.
The woven products are:
- Bowl,
- Basket,
- Glass mat,
- Flower vase,
- Plate.
Mrs. Herwin explained that this rattan handicraft has a philosophy, namely “Kenggi Apulok, Kambe Apulok” (Hands move – mouth moves), in other words, it means that from the handicrafts we do this can make money to eat,” said Mrs. Herwin.
At this show, craftsman George Yikwa, demonstrated how to make rattan weaving with rattan strands with natural coloring.
Yikwa craftsmen tell that this natural color is gray, where the rattan strands are soaked in mud for 3 days and so that the rattan is gray, black, and brown.
In terms of marketing, the woven products are collected in Jayawijaya by Captain Pilot Matt Meeuwse and his wife Amanda Meeuwse of the Helivida Indonesia Foundation, who travel by Helivida helicopter to remote areas.
According to the Chairman of the National Craft Council of Papua Mountains Herwin Wanggai, this folk craft is a concern of the Provincial Government of Papua Mountains as one of the priorities of economic development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, “for Papua Mountains, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector must be developed seriously considering the economic potential of the mountainous community, such as coffee, red fruit, noken, vegetables, culinary, and other local products,” said the National Craft Council of Papua Mountains.
In the context of the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mrs. Herwin Wanggai said that the Daily Chairperson of the National Craft Council Mrs. Tri Tito Karnavian together with Sri Suparni Bahlil, Chairperson of Business Management of the National Craft Council Center will visit Wamena.
Previously, the National Handicraft Council of Papua Mountains also won the best first place in the decorative car competition held at the peak of the 43rd Anniversary of the National Handicraft Council in Solo, on May 13-17, 2024, “These steps are part of developing the socio-cultural-based economic potential of the mountainous community, as well as promoting the diverse tourism sector in Papua Mountains,” said the National Handicraft Council of Papua Mountains.
