Dedikasi Sulistyo Pada Wayang Kulit Jawa

Wayang adalah salah satu icon bagi budaya Indonesia, khususnya Jawa. Bagi orang Jawa ada tiga jenis wayang yang masih lumayan diminati keberadaannya, yaitu wayang kulit(purwa, awal), wayang orang dan wayang thengul (wayang golek di Jawa Barat). Karena ada beberapa jenis wayang lain yang hanya dapat dilihat di museum.

Kali ini The Epoch Times Indonesia mengajak pembaca mengenal lebih dekat sebuah “Pondok Wayang” milik Sulistyo yang berlokasi di pojok timur Museum Sono Budoyo Yogyakarta. Alamat tepatnya Museum Negeri Sono Budoyo, Jl. Trikora No. 6 Jogjakarta, dekat dengan alo-alon utara. Sulistyo adalah salah satu dari banyak pondok wayang di Jogja. Ia dalam membuat wayang belajar sendiri sejak 1991. Awalnya diilhami setelah menonton wayang di Sitinggil Kraton Jogjakarta, yang dipentaskan semalam suntuk sebulan sekali. Dari kartu nama yang dipajang di dinding studionya, membuktikan dikenal oleh berbagai kalangan bahkan manca negara. Karena itu tak heran kalau ia fasih berbahasa Inggris. Sewaktu The Epoch Times Indonesia diterimanya, bersamaan ia juga sedang meneriman tamu dari Argentina.

Belajar membuat wayang ia mulai dengan memfoto-kopi gambar wayang dari bursa buku bekas menjadi seukuran standard wayang. Kemudian ia jadikan sebagai patron diatas lembaran kulit lembu. Lalu ia tatah dengan berbagai model tatah yang mempunyai pola. Proses pembuatan wayang sebenarnya sulit. Disini pembaca diajak melihat perjalanan bisnisnya saja. Orang asli Jogja ini awalnya mengambil dua orang ahli pembuat wayang tahun 1991. Pada masa jayanya, pekerjanya menjadi 20 orang. Pesanan wayang datang mengalir dari manca negara di seantero dunia. Kemudian hantaman budaya barat tak mampu dibendungnya, mengakibatkan bisnisnya menurun drastis. Tetapi lebih dari itu ia merasa sangat prihatin generasi muda juga semakin jauh dari budayanya sendiri. Ia dengan beberapa pembantunya dengan dedikasi tingginya, tetap bertahan. Hingga akhirnya bisa terpilih menjadi rekan semisi dengan museum Sono Budoyo. Karena itulah ia bisa menjadi bagian dari keberadaan museum itu.

Menurut pak Sarju, rekan kerjanya, yang bercerita sambil mengerjakan wayangnya, menatah sebuah wayang kulit bisa diselesaikan dalam 3-7 hari. Tergantung besar kecil wayang dan kerumitan coraknya. Harganya.? Paling kecil (biasanya wayang putri, dewi) Rp. 200.000,00; terbesar (gunungan, raksasa) bisa mencapai Rp. 2 juta. Ingin tahu wayang lebih banyak lagi? Kunjungi Museum Negeri Sono Budoyo. Selamat berlibur bersama keluarga tercinta.

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Javanese Batik

Batik mostly is unseparatable to Javanese traditional batik, especially from Jogjakarta, has special meanings which is rooted to the Javanese idea of the universe. In English, batik is a wax-resist dyeing technique used on textile. Due to modern advances in the textile industry the term has also been used for fabrics which incorporates the traditional batik patterns although not necessarily produced using the batik techniques. Silk batik is especially popular.Traditional colours include indigo, dark brown ,and white which represents the three major Hindu Gods (Brahmā, Viṣṇu,and Śiva), and certain patterns can only be worn by royals. Other regions of Indonesia have their own unique patterns which normally take themes from everyday lives. Incorporating patterns such as flowers, animals or people. Batik or fabrics with the traditional batik patterns similar to the Indonesian batik are also found in several countries such as West Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Uganda and Mali, and in sia, such as India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iran, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Burma, which displays the influence of the Indonesian batik internationally.
Batik is Javanese craftsmanship with high mark since ancient history. It is part of Indonesia culture (in particularly Java). Batik used to be a daily profession of Javanese women as an income source. Batik is an exclusive job for them until ‘batik printing’ was invented that make man involved in this work.
There are some exception phenomena that at coastal area doing batik is common for man. Batik in this area has a masculine pattern as can be seen in the motif of "Mega Mendung".
Batik is available at many regions in Java. In central Java batik is available easily at Yogyakarta, Solo (Surakarta), and Pekalongan. In Madura, batik available with specific motif.
Here some places you can have a lot of choices for batik you can come.
At Yogyakarta you can visit Pasar Beringharjo.
This is a traditional market located at Malioboro street with collections of batik merchandise, either in material form or ready for use clothes like shirt, blouse, jersey, pajama, many others. This traditional market is one tourist destination and as Yogya batik product merchandise center.
Kauman, Pasar Kliwon, Surakarta.
This area is located with elite building architectures. Kampung is known as Batik Tourist Kampong and as center of batik industry. To be sure that this place is the pioneer of batik industry of Solo.
Jenggot, Pekalongan Selatan, Pekalongan.
Jenggot is a village at Sub Distrik of South Pekalongan, District of Pekalongan, Central Java. The most villagers are work on batik sector like workers, sellers, distributors, or producers.

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Bicyclist in Indonesia

Bicycle, is an individual transportation, relatively inexpensive, free pollutant, friendly environment. It is used in almost all over the world and all type of fileds. In Indonesia it is called as ‘kereta angin’ or ‘sepeda’. In Yogyakarta (central Java, Indonesia) and its surrounding, the people named it as ‘sepeda pancal’ because powered by foot pedalling. (‘Pancal’ (Java language) means press down on with foot )). People used bicycle for daily transportation or recreation. There are many bicycle market in Indonesia where you can get bicycle in various type, brand and era. Those markets mostly sell the used bicycles. But you can choose the new one as well. You can find many brands of bicycle, although old type they are, you can get the original brand like Simpleks, Humber, Raleigh and others. As regard as price is concern, some times the old used bicycle much more expensive. It depends on the agreement reached between the seller and the buyer. The buyers of old bicycle come from hobbies community.
In Indonesia there are so many clubs of bicyclist. Some of them are:
YOGYAKARTA
1. JOC – Jogja Onthel Comunity – Ryan – Sta. Lempuyangan Jogjakita
2. Podjok – Paguyuban Onthel Jogjakarta – Ananta – Alun2 Kidul Jogjakita
SURABAYA
1. Gasenos – Gabungan Sepeda Kuno Surabaya – Rony – 08155291372 – Jl. Kalijudan 8 No. 43 Surabaya 2. Pasebo – Paguyuban Sepeda Kebo – Suparno – 031-5612021 – Jl. Dukuh Pakis III/8 Surabaya 3. Paskas – Paguyuban Sepeda Kuno Arek Suroboyo – Dedy Risdijanto – 08165440441 – Jl. Kedung Doro IX No. 9 Surabaya 4. Senopati – Sepeda Kuno Patriot Sejati – Teguh – 031-8438655 – Jl. Tenggilis Mejoyo Blok AB No. 15 Surabaya 5. Paguyuban Sepeda Kuno Mahesa - Huda – 08155118758 – Jl. Karang Menjangan VI / 27 Surabaya If you visit other then the above cities and interested to joint them, you can check here.

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Becak can drive you anywhere you like

Becak is a small-scale local means of transport; it is also known by a variety of other names such as pedicab, cyclo, or trishaw.Becak (is bahasa Hokkien: be chia "kereta kuda"). Becaks are human-powered, a type of tricycle designed to carry pasengers in addition to the driver. They are often used on a for hire basis. Becaks are widely used in major cities around the world, but most commonly in cities of South, Southeast and East Asia.

In Indonesia generally there are two types of becak;
Rear drive becak. Mostly this type of becak is available in Java.
Front drive becak. Mostly this type of becak is available in Sumatra.
For this type is grouped into two sub-groups, they are:
1. Becak kayuh – that is used bicycle as steering wheel
2. Becak with engine – that is used motor cycle as a power
In special occasion becaks are part of the ceremony. For example in the Indonesia independence day becaks are raced in the beautiful of its accessory, speed driving, attraction (some times are danger like driving on its two wheels), moving around shop and others.
In all towns of Indonesia becak is available very easily and common. The only town in Indonesia that officially prohibit operate becak is Jakarta. In 1980s Jakarta prohibit operate becak as a in town transportation because becak often causes mayor traffic problem. Becaks which human-power is slow move. Beside it was regard as a human exploitation on others.
However, in other towns in Indonesia becak is a popular mini multi-purpose transportation unit. Becak is not only used as human transportation but also for goods, even daily temporary living. The becak driver who comes from a remote with income under Rp. 15.000 (daily average/month) is hard to hire a house for living. Many of them left their family remain stay in their home town. Generally becak drivers are farmers. At the time they are waiting for harvesting, they go to town change their profession as becak drivers. Under such condition they use their becaks as emergent accommodation.
Becak is also a good political campaign at rural area. Such as put a certain attribute of political party or a product on its seat or roof which is made of cotton material. In the developed country becak has already engine powered and elegant designed. In some towns in Indonesia becak was engine powered as well but the performance is still origin.
Of being so many becaks in town many traffic problems are arise included air pollution. This issue causes pro and contra for its existence in many towns.

Following lyric is a famous children song about becak

Saya mau tamasya keliling-liling kota, Melihat dengan indah pemandangan yang ada, Saya panggil bang becak, Kereta tak berkuda, Becak becak coba bawa saya.... Saya duduk sendiri, Sambil mengangkat kaki, Melihat dengan asyik, Ke kanan dan ke kiri, Lihat becakku lari, Bagai tak kan berhenti, Becak becak jalan hati-hati...

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Sepenggal Pagi di Malioboro

Jam tujuh pagi, Malioboro masih sepi, walaupun bukan hari libur. Pedagang kaki lima, dagangannya masih tertutup rapat dengan plastik penutup atau para-para penggantung dagangan masih kosong. Pejalan kaki masih santai. Beberapa orang makan sarapan di kuliner trotoar. Sepeda motor sudah berseliweran tetapi belum seramai siang hari yang biasanya padat bercampur berbagai jenis kendaraan, mulai becak, dokar, bis kota, kendaraan pribadi roda empat, bahkan sepeda pancal.

Saya salah satu pejalan kaki yang pagi itu menikmati udara segar karena semalam hujan deras. Di depan Malioboro Mall, saya lihat seorang ibu lagi duduk dipinggiran pemisah jalan sebelah timur. Di depannya ada sebuah ‘tenggok’ (keranjang bambu yang anyamannya dibuat rapat), sedang diatasnya sebuah ‘tambir‘ (sejenis tempat saji juga terbuat dari bambu) diameter setengah meteran, berisi makanan jajanan tradisional tinggal separoh. Gatot, cenil, gendar dan lopis. Sulit untuk mendiskripsi makanan ini dengan kata-kata kecuali pembaca menyempatkan mencicipi sendiri. Saya berhenti persis di depannya. Lalu jongkok, merapat ke tenggoknya. “Dahar mas (makan mas)”, katanya langsung menyiapkan sesobek daun pisang. Saya ragu. “Mulai jam pinten bu? (Mulai jam berapa berjualan bu)”, Tanya saya. Ibu itu, yang ngakunya bernama bu Sukirah (70 tahun), menjawab, tentu saja dengan bahasa Jawa. “Jam enam”. “Masaknya?”, tanya saya lagi. “Jam dua belas malam”, ia memandangi saya. “Yang Bantu?”. “Sendiri”, jawabnya singkat, setelah berdiam sebentar, tetapi tertawa ngekeh sambil memamerkan gusinya yang sudah tak bergigi. “Laris bu?” Tanya saya lagi. Jawabnya: “Lumayan, rejeki wonten pundi mawon. (Maksudnya :rejeki ada dimana saja) Pokoke tangane obah (asal mau kerja)”, jawabnya sarat makna. Saya nggak bertanya lagi, menghormati privasinya, walaupun ingin tanya lebih banyak.

“Foto bu nggih?”. Sambil tertawa lagi ia menjawab, “Ah, biasa. Sudah banyak yang motret. Pokoke . . . . ”. Bu Sukirah tertawa ngekeh lagi sambil ibu jari dan telunjuknya diketemukan. Dan …. Memukul pundakku. Aku mengerti maksudnya. Orang Jogja sudah maju. Nggak pakai basa basi, nggak seperti waktu saya kecil dulu. Dan jadilah foto seperti yang anda lihat ini.

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The Toys Vendor

It is unquestionable that technology has changed everything, very fast and irrepressible. For developing country like Indonesia the strong impact of this phenomenon has felt for several decades. It is included in the child world. Life style, the way to communicate and the mobilization have changed totally. Even it has penetrated their toys.

Several decades ago their toys were made from used material or natural one that they could get from the surrounding area. They made their toys by them self. Orange skin, stem of the banana bunch, leaves; wood remnants or bamboo and used tin are the favorite material. The games motivated and push their creativities.

Recently in the digital era their toys are not avoidable from the touch of modern technology. Ready to used toys are spoiled them. Although there are some high tech toys can motivate them on their creativities and new technology innovation, but unevenly development in the aspect of economy and education causes deep gap between the poors and the haves, the villagers and the urban areas. A bad situation but that is.

Fortunately there are some individual transition era generation like Susolo and friends that willingly provide toys for children who can not completely follow the digital era. He is a toy monger who walks around from village to village. Some tens of them are practice those works. Their targets are student from kindergarten to intermediate school; or at the downtown and night hotspots where parents bring their children for comfort.

Susolo came from Wonosari a district of Yogyakarta. He sells toys around Sidoarjo East Java, about 10 km northern Lapindo mud volcano. His toys are made of bamboo. They are ‘gasing’, flute and whistle. “Gasing’ is the most favorite toy for children around the area. ‘Gasing’ is made of 10 cm diameter (more less) and 10 cm long. The both ends are closely covered by a piece of circular wood. By that way is formed a bamboo tube. A 2 Cm square hole is made at the middle of this tube. A bamboo axis is set up so that the tube can rotates with the help of 50 cm rope which is twist on the axis and pulls it pass through a sewing needle hole like that made of bamboo as well. When the bamboo tube rotates fast it stands on the axis, a specific sound is heard. The children make competition among them with those toys. The winner is the “gasing” that can rotate and stand in longest period of time.

Susolo sells this “gasing” for Rp. 5,000.00, flute for same price, and whistle for Rp. 2,000.00. Those tree toys are made in the village of Semin, sub district of Wonosari, Yogyakarta province. Susolo told he can earn money up to 1.5 million rupiah by doing this work in 9 to 10 days. He also said that those toys are also sold at some other inlands in Indonesia like Bali and Sumatra.

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Monkey Tamers

Kateni was a name that he mentioned when I met him at his lodging. He came from Blitar, a small town at southern of east Java, Indonesia. His unique profession interested me to know further more. He is a monkey tamer. It is not quite exactly but close to that. He exploits small intelligence of a monkey that can act like some things that people do daily. For instance, shopping, dancing, dress up, fishing and acrobatics, and any other funny action. Day to day on his bicycle he goes around from village to other village provides dancing monkey show. Children are the most of his consumers. On his luggage-carrier he installed a case for his monkey. Some people’s dummy daily accessories hung beside the case. A small drum made by him self is put on the handle-bar. This drum is always stroked all the way to attract children. It is about 12 inch in diameter and 30 centimeters of height.

He made his drum by him self, is to minimize his financial capital for his job. However, he must provide almost Rp. 2 million for all of his apparatus. It is not included the cost of the monkey that he bought at the pet market. For a 1.5 years old monkey, he paid Rp. 125,000. “Did you train your monkey by your self”, I asked. “No”, he answered preparing his trip. “I must send my monkey to the monkey trainer. The monkey will be a real good monkey dancer takes 6 months of training. I must spend another Rp. 1,000,000 for that”. In fact he can get monkey by trapping it from mangrove forest, specially at north cost of Java. But it is not so easy. To do that an expert is needed. So he think buying monkey is easier and chipper. He bought his just several months ago at pet market in Surabaya. Beside, he has many choices on the basis of financial and the need. According to Kateni, a certificate is not needed for his monkey. Other species is does. But he can not explain clearly why.

There was surprise statement from Kateni that actually he felt so sorry by infringing monkey right. He made monkey out from its real environment and made it loss its entire natural. From his deep insight felt real sorry so he tried hard to take care his monkey as good as he can. When I asked whether his monkey often capricious? He answered: “Monkey is just like human being. It can be exhausted, angry, or any other emotional as human being s are. Men like us aware about that condition. We are monkey tamers, always trying hard to understand what monkey want and like to. Even from the expressions. Monkey can be very upset when the audiences tread those bad or looks so lazy and week to express that they are hungry or tired.

Even monkey looks can understand that we don not get money all day long for some reasons. They can understand conversations among the monkey tamers. The contrary we do not easily understand them without hard effort. “Monkey trainer generally tells us the specific character every monkey to the owner”, add Kateni. “Are you satisfied with your yield mostly?” He smiled before answered my question, and “Difficult to say. The main point is we must cleverly manage no mater how much money we get. In a matter of fact, I have been working on this almost for ten years”.

While he prepared other need things he told me about his family who he left them at home.

”I have been here for 5 days. Mostly I left my family 7 to 10 days. Some friends of mine wanted me to joint them to Bali. I have been there for several days before. It is really good place to make money there. But I can’t help with smell of incense when the villagers want to see my monkey dancing. So I prefer to come after several days home”.

Then he said good bye to start the long day trip. OK Kateni, good luck. Enjoy your self.

Read full history - Monkey Tamers