Traditional Art Form: Yogyakarta, Central Java

By Barrie | November 20th, 2007 | No Comments

Pucung village in Bantul regency, Yogyakarta, is one of the places in the country in which its crafts is made from animal skin. The craftsmen have learned their skills from their parents, so it’s a generational practice despite their meagre amount of income. A mother of two, Sartina, 26, has known the craft of creating shadow puppet skin since she was in fourth grade. After she is finished with her household chore, she paints on pieces of skin to be used for fan souvenirs (kipas). Most of the craftsmen in Pucung village are daily laborers in which businessmen, who purchase the raw material, use their service for the finishing part, such as cutting and painting.

Maybe it’s time to give them more capital to improve their well beings.

– Text and photos by P.J. Leo