We often bring trainers, so that Badui woven fabrics can go global.
Lebak, Banten (ANTARA) - The Regional National Craft Council (Dekranasda) of Lebak District is actively promoting Badui textiles on the world stage to boost the economic income of this grouping of isolated tribe in Banten Province.

"We have, of late, conducted promotion of this woven fabric in Hamburg, Germany," Dekranasda Chairman Farid Darmawan remarked on being contacted in Lebak on Monday.

Businesspersons in several countries in Europe and the ASEAN have admired the traditional crafts of Badui people living in the inland of Lebak, claiming it to be the best fabric in the world.

There is a stark difference between the Bdui woven fabric and those existing across Indonesia.

Badui woven cloth bears a single motif also carrying philosophical significance, with two or three stripes indicating the Badui's style of walking in a straight line as opposed to sideways.

In other words, Darmawan elaborated that the Badui community appeared to lead a peaceful existence and also fostered bonds of brotherhood. This is since if one were to walk sideways, he/she would undoubtedly come in the path of those approaching from the opposite direction.

Darmawan said his side had also made steady efforts directed at enhancing the quality by offering trainings to craftsmen involved in weaving Badui fabric. An invitation was extended to trainers in their respective fields to increase the quality of traditionally produced Badui woven fabrics.

The trainers offer an broader understanding to Badui craftspersons on techniques to hone their skills of weaving the fabric.

"We time and again rope in trainers to ensure that Badui woven fabrics can go global," Farid, the husband of Lebak district head Iti husband Octavia, stated.

In the meantime, Chairperson of the Daarul Qoriin Baraya small and medium enterprises Endoh Mahfudoh remarked that the woven cloth products of the Badui community have, until now, been popular among Vietnamese.
Exhibition activities via promotions conducted by the Banten Province Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) had resulted in high market demand in Vietnam.

"We supply nearly all types of Badui woven cloth to the Vietnamese market," she noted.

Mae, 45, a craftswoman engaged in weaving Badui fabrics and residing in Kaduketug, Kanekes Village, Leuwidamar Sub-district, Lebak, admitted to several domestic and foreign tourists coming here and making huge purchases.

Tourists purchase Badui woven cloth as a memento based on its traditional and artistic value.

"We sell woven fabrics costing between Rp150 thousand and Rp2 million per cloth," she revealed. EDITED BY INE

Translator: Bambang Purwanto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019