Traditional Handicrafts in DIY Urged to Rise Against Modern Challenges

RRI.CO.ID, Bantul - The preservation of traditional handicrafts remains a core focus for cultural activists in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). Through cross-community collaboration, efforts to conserve various traditional handmade goods are being reinforced to ensure they are not eroded by modern developments.

One such initiative is driven by Paraakar Indonesia alongside Kriya Dharma Selarong and Taman Stasiun Nusantara, focusing on traditional craft conservation while strengthening a culture-based creative economy ecosystem.

Craft Manager Cornelius Doni Permana explained that kriya is a formal Indonesian term meaning handicraft. According to him, Indonesian crafts boast an immense variety, ranging from wood, weaving, and textiles to bamboo and pottery.

Consequently, developing these crafts requires in-depth research to provide solid documentation and database foundations for long-term preservation.

"Indonesian craft requires extensive research so that we have strong data and documentation. From there, we can understand the origins and richness of every craft that exists in Indonesia," he said on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

Doni explained that his team, along with Paraakar Indonesia and Kriya Dharma Selarong, is currently striving to conserve traditional crafts that are deemed critically endangered.

The primary conservation focus is directed toward wild sea pandan leaf weaving, which developed in the Soropadan area of Bantul Regency. This craft is highly valued for its high cultural significance, eco-friendly raw materials, and labor-intensive production system.

Around two decades ago, sea pandan leaf woven products from Bantul successfully penetrated international markets and were supplied to various global corporations.

However, market interest has declined in recent years, prompting many artisans to abandon the profession. This situation threatens the survival of the traditional craft if it does not receive immediate intervention.

As a concrete step toward preservation, the community coalition ensures the continuity of production by directly purchasing the woven materials made by the artisans. This measure is taken to guarantee market certainty for the craftsmen, encouraging them to maintain skills passed down through generations.

"We try to guarantee a market for the artisans. What we are fighting for is not just the product, but the continuity of the tradition and the welfare of the weavers," he said.

Beyond reinforcing economic aspects, various educational programs are being prepared to foster a love for traditional crafts among the younger generation.

One such initiative is the Pandan Go to School program, which will visit local schools to reintroduce the art of weaving to students. The program is expected to foster a new generation of artisans while increasing public appreciation for heritage-based creations.

Doni evaluated that craft development should not solely focus on increasing sales, but must also encompass environmental sustainability and cultural value.

He emphasized that the concept of a green economy needs to serve as the foundation for developing traditional crafts, given that most rely on eco-friendly, natural materials. According to him, modernization should not eradicate tradition, but rather serve as a collaborative space for mutual strengthening.

He hopes that local administration will introduce policies that favor traditional, eco-friendly, and manually crafted products. Furthermore, Doni invited various parties, including the mass media, to collectively elevate the value of traditional crafts as a vital part of the nation's identity. (Naura Sofia-EN)