Craft industry development program in Timor Tengah Selatan (TTS) regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province is reasonable. Imagine, up to now it is predicted that TTS has thousands of types of ikat weaving motifs made in every village. This is because the culture of TTS is weaving. Weaving product sold to get income to survive family life.
Seeing the potential of this area, Norci Nomleni, the coordinator of local Ikat Weaving “Ume Kbubu” craftslady determined to optimize all potential of existing motif to be worth more for craftsmen and to develop TTS art in general.
“TTS regency has various craft industry, both craft of weaving, woven handicrafts and also various other types of crafts. The famous craft here is weaving motif with thousands types. It’s good opportunity and challenge as well for us to empower them by action , “said Norci Nomleni to Fortuna in her Ume Kbubu home production in Niki-Niki last moment.
According to her, thousands of ikat motifs owned by TTS because almost all the villages in TTS have distinctive woven motif but the weakness is still on less intense promotional aspect. Therefore through Ume Kbubu, she commits to promoting in various levels both in sub-district, regional, and high level of expo area. Besides, weaving craftsmen has less attention to the quality of woven motifs produced.
Therefore, she activates cooperation local people to train weaving group members so they can produce qualified weaving products.
Norci explained that the most famous motif today is the motif of Boti. Boti motif goes international. This is because the processing is still traditional and use natural raw materials.
“Our experience to participate exhibition and local stylist stated that natural material dye has still high value as what Boti craftsmen still survive it. This indicates that weaving from Boti and Nasi vilage is better known and demanded by consumers.
Therefore, Ume Kbubu in coordinating with Dekranasda TTS is pushing local weaving craftsmen to produce different kinds of motifs without neglecting quality. It is more important in the manufacture of woven affairs is a matter of designing weaving motifs by considering the needs of consumers / buyers. In addition to natural materials used, the price is affordable, and then the shape and size should also be smaller in order not to be heavy when being brought as souvenirs later.
“Indeed TTS weaving sold cheaply or expensively according to motifs. But the Head of Dekranasda hopes that the craftsmen always concern to the trend of buyers. Our purpose is to sell as many as possible to increase revenue so we should really anticipate market opportunity. So far, we continue holding partnership, guiding and training so that from time to time weaving effort from TTS craftsmen begins to improve, “she explained. (Tim/42na)
