Bamboo is a tropical plant that can be found in Indonesia. This grassy plant, which has strong and tall segmented stems, has an important function in three basic human needs. Bamboo can be used to meet various needs for clothing, food and shelter.
In food, young bamboo (bamboo shoots) can be used as a base for delicious vegetables. Bamboo can also be used in making residential houses, so that it can support human life in terms of boards. In addition, bamboo can also be processed (by weaving) into various containers, decorations, and various other clothing needs.
The woven bamboo does not only have a practical function, but also an aesthetic function. The woven crafts produced are not just goods, but also can be artistic value and beauty.
One of the areas that has developed bamboo woven crafts is Sukabumi. The woven bamboo handicrafts produced by craftsmen from Sukabumi have their own peculiarities. The bamboo mats produced from this area are known to be strong because they are made double and crosswise. In addition, the bamboo woven that is made does not forget its aesthetic function.
The bamboo which is used as a raw material for plaiting is obtained by craftsmen from the local market. Usually, they buy it that is ready for weaving. But if the supply is empty, the craftsmen buy bamboo in the form of sticks and then process it until it becomes woven with high selling value.
The results of the woven bamboo produced by the craftsmen here are various household products, such as lamp holders, trays, and various other containers that can support household activities.
Making woven bamboo is not the main source of income. On a daily basis, they work as plantation farmers. However, because the weaving produced has good quality so that it is worth selling, they can get additional income from the bamboo weaving that is made. The prices of Sukabumi bamboo woven crafts vary widely, ranging from tens of thousands to millions of rupiah – depending on the size and the level of difficulty process.
In the midst of the invasion of cheaper plastic objects, the Sukabumi bamboo woven handicraft has been able to survive and has loyal buyers. However, assistance from various parties is needed so that the woven bamboo crafts can continue to survive and develop. Apart from being the result of traditional handicrafts of Indonesian society, compared to plastic objects, woven bamboo is very environmentally friendly.
–sh
