Kasongan Ceramicists Rebuilding: Yogyakarta, Central Java

By Barrie | August 7th, 2007 | No Comments

The May 27 earthquake in Yogyakarta dealt a devastating blow to the ceramic production center of Kasongan village. The ceramic studios were not built to withstand a quake and not a single pot was turned out in the six months that followed.

Of the four hamlets in the ceramic production center — Kajen, Kasongan, Gedongan and Tirto — Kajen was the worst hit.

“We don’t have much capital with which to rebuild our damaged studios,” said Parti, one of 65 ceramicists working in Kajen.

Since Nov. 2006, the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University (UGM), the Indonesia Arts Institute (ISI), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Relief International have been working together to breathe life back into the ceramics industry and turn Kajen into a tourist destination.

This includes helping the ceramicists of Kajen make more original works that inevitably fetch better prices.

ISI program coordinator Yulita said the ceramicists of Kajen had been disadvantaged from the start because of their limited capital.

Moreover, the work produced in the hamlet, she said, had always been crudely made and lacked the finesse of the pieces produced in the other three hamlets.

“The main thing now is to work together to lift the workers’ spirits and make changes so the finished products are more attractive to buyers,” Yulita said.

Previously, Kajen ceramicists only produced simple products like ashtrays that sold for Rp 1,000-2,000 each. If the ashtrays were more artistic they could be sold for more, she said.

Heru Setyoko, Relief International’s programs and operational manager, said Kajen was on its way to becoming a tourist destination.

He said the main road would be repaired and Relief International would work with travel agents to promote the hamlet.

New studios and a showroom would also be built.

“We will promote the natural beauty of the area. While enjoying their holiday, visitors can also learn to make ceramics in the studios,” he said.

Slamet Susanto