MATERIAL, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL BASED TRADITIONAL CRAFT DESIGN DEVELOPMENT STUDY (CASE STUDY OF LARANTUKA, TANJUNG BUNGA, AND SOLOR ISLAND DISTRICTS)

• Main Author: Hanifa, Zalfa
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/79846
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Lontar (Borassus flabellifer Linn.) is a Gymnospermae, single-seeded plant (monocotyledoneae) of the order Arecales, family Palmae (Arecaceae), and genus Borassus. This species is distributed in various areas of Indonesia, especially in Java, Madura, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Palmyra-based products are used in daily activities such as cooking, farming, selling, religious activities, and traditional ceremonies. Over the past few years, palmyra weaving in East Flores has experienced rapid development in various aspects. Lontar products that were once marketed in traditional markets or carried from house to house are now sold exclusively to national and international markets. This phenomenon creates new habits and conditions that significantly affect the local community during industrial activities. This research is conducted to analyze the dynamics that emerge in the community and formulate further stages of exploration by considering capacity, needs, raw material, and maximizing potential in the modern industrial market. The method used in this research is a mixed method which is qualitative research based on simple material exploration and experimentation, followed by field observation in three villages in East Flores. The research locations were determined based on the large numbers of women in East Flores villages who work as palm leaf craftsmen, either as their main job or as a secondary job while farming. Primary and secondary data are from interviews with respondents that were members of the weaving community and literature study. The results of this research are a study of the production system, a study of the factors that influence the development of palm material products and their impact on local communities, and a study of the stages in making prototype products in collaboration with the community. The research also aims to provide an overview of the growth of local communities in Indonesia and how they can work with others outside their region to enter the industrial market.